Traditional landscape and residents: A case study of Higashihiroshima

Abstract

With the progress of urbanization, modern housing landscapes have become more common, and traditional-style houses have been rapidly disappearing. Local governments throughout the country have come to show an interest in things like ‘traditional landscape’, ‘community landscape planning’, and ‘landscape formation’ during the 2000s. Now, ‘landscape formation’ is recognized as an effective policy tool. However, little research exists on landscape from the point of view of residents. I chose the city of Higashihiroshima as the location for this study. This area has a unique landscape of traditional Japanese houses with reddish-brown roof shingles and white walls scattered in rural paddy-field districts, and it is recognized by residents for its individual landscape. I interviewed residents living in urbanization control areas and housing estates to examine their concerns about changing landscapes. I asked questions about the exterior of their houses and how they feel about traditional landscapes. Results showed that most residents feel the traditional landscape is acceptable and want to keep traditional-style houses, but are reluctant to build their own homes in the traditional fashion. As people have broad choice in regard to building materials, Japanese-style houses are not chosen any more, and people tend to base their housing choices on individualism and the economy. Some residents think landscape regulation is unnecessary because houses are personal property.