Issues of Central Urban Area Revitalization in Local Cities

A Case Study of Nanokamachi Street in Aizuwakamatsu City

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify issues to revitalize the central urban area of Aizuwakamatsu City. We conducted questionnaire surveys to business operators and visitors of Nanokamachi Street where is one of the main street of the city. Vacant stores utilization projects, streetscape improvement projects and electric wires undergrounding projects have been implemented in areas along the street. Through the above questionnaire surveys, it became clear that business operators and visitors evaluate shops, sidewalk and streetscape as results of these projects highly. This study points out it is important to increase benches for the central urban area revitalization in the future.