Abstract
The purpose of this study was to verify residents consciousness about the advantageous effects of vacant lots in urban residential areas.
In this area people have close contact with neighbors, so a group territory is built up. Residents think of vacant lots as their own space in the area. Therefore, safety and crime prevention are maintained. I verified the hypothesis that resident consciousness of the advantageous effects of a vacant lot is increased. Further, I focused on the function of a vacant lot as a green space and considered issues of maintenance.
As a result, it was found that residents recognize differences in the utility value and existence value, so it is possible that residents in a group territory think vacant lots have a high utilization effect.
The relationships between attributes of residents and group territory were also explored. Results indicated that resident regional action and aggressiveness as well as consciousness of activity make a territory group. Green space is the highest demand for vacant lots. Administrator management problems include overgrowth of weeds, growth of insects, devastation of scenery and dumping of garbage in the worst situation. There are insufficient trimming of the greenery in many vacant lots. However, residents gladly participate in regional maintenance of greenery and flowers. There is a possibility that vacant lots are maintained and green. Residents who have a desire to participate in maintenance tend to have affections for the region. Environmental arrangements and maintenance connects the regional community.
These results show that participation in maintenance of a vacant lot provides a sense of meaning for a regional community. It is necessary to consider what effects the regional community receives from vacant lots and their utilization.
JEL Classification:O18, P28, Q51
