The urban amenity is defined as urban space with attractive culture, history, nature, landscape andcommunity, which is peculiar to each city. It may be destroyed by the real estate development or itmay be well preserved. The center district of Kyoto city is being taken up as a case of the amenityproblem. There are some troublesome problems with the preservation of Kyo-machiya (old townhouses in Kyoto), which is confronted with the growing apartments development. This area is theexcellent center of Kyoto in environment for both living and working. But high-density use of the landin this district is being promoted by the rational function of a land market. The necessary system ofreal estate development is proposed in order to preserve the urban amenity.

View full abstract

Townscape is visual cognition of amenity of urban environment. Thus the issue of sustainability intownscape is not only to conserve the historical buildings but also to seek for the way to coexist old andnew buildings in local context of urban environment to conserve its fabric. Both the recent argumentfor destruction of townscape in Kyoto and promotion of building conversion in Osaka are concerned insustainability of local context that are based on the historical, social, and cultural resources with localvalue in the areas. Regulations for the townscape, however, are generally translated as those to controlbuilding within the site, but essentially the context of local environment should be translated to beregulations as local rules or manners because the townscape is collective environment of individualbuildings. Moreover, as the most of the urbanized area in Japan has undergone the continuousrebuilding and development without specific future vision, any system to coordinate rebuilding anddevelopment in the local context should be discussed to manage urban alteration as well as regulations.to Control Physical conditions.

View full abstract

In general, there are five means to enhance the urban amenity; 1 conserving cultural or natural environment, 2 controlling the quality of urban spaces, 3 guiding desirable urban developments by providing incentives, 4 creating mutual agreements or making contract by utilizing various planningtools, and 5 joint operation of the above-mentioned measures. In Japan, we have varieties of planning mechanisms to promote the urban amenity, however, general provision of regulatory measures, such as floor area ratio, are too generous to the landowner so that it may prevent planning authorities from promoting the urban amenity through more rigorous planning regulations.

View full abstract

This article addresses the explanation of newly established Landscape Law, whichi was proclaimed on June 18^th 2004. This is the first basic law on landscape in Japan. To promote the formation of beautiful landscapes in various areas where people live, this law provides the following:
The basic idea to create and preserve landscapes
Responsibilities of national citizens, businesses, and administration
A system to regulate actions for the formation of beautiful landscapes
Support measures for the formation of beautiful landscapes etc.
In addition, the enrichment of the related budget and tax-system helps this law to promote the formation of beautiful landscapes.

View full abstract

When Karuizawa-machi became accessible by the Shinkansen (Bullet train) line it became an easy commute from Tokyo, and the development of housing complexes accelerated even more. In addition to this, it became difficult for many corporations and individuals to keep their properties after the collapse of the bubble economy, and there has been an endless stream of auctions for government-owned lots that had been paid in kind as well as private properties put on sale directly. Many of these lots are used to develop housing complexes as investment instruments, and are seriously threatening the existing environment and townscape of Karuizawa.
The Master Architect System in Karuizawa was started in December 2003. This is not the management of the landscape according to recent ordinances in association with the Landscape Laws, but an attempt to preserve and foster it through more human eyes.
What is being studied today, based on my proposal, is the issue of the many government-owned lots scattered near the center of the cottage area. Sooner or later these lots will be auctioned off by the Financial Bureau and might be subject to new housing developments that do not harmonize with the surrounding landscape. If, however, these lots can be harmonized with the surrounding environment and increased in scenic value, Karuizawa will become invigorated.We should first thoroughly analyzethe latent scenic potential of each lot, conduct project study with quality developers and talented architects or hold a project competition, while gaining the understanding of the Ministry of Finance, and then establish an auction method that contributes to improvement of the landscape based on the studies.

View full abstract

In this paper, three water-front in Gifu prefecture are surveyed, such as the Old Kawara-machi area in Gifu City, Hachiman Town in Gujo City and Wanouchi Town in the Waju area. In this water-front, there are urban design and planning sustaining human environment against nature environment. It is perceived that the living which people maintain the cultural climate creates original landscape. And it is important for the urban planning, that lifestyles and cultures should be kept. The people who want succeed to the traditional cultural climate, emphasis on the natural environment, wisdoms and techniques. Through surveying the water-front, the cultural environment is revealed.

View full abstract

Kyoto City formulated the Integrated Commercial/Residential District Improvement Plan in 1998, including a set of strategies to revitalize downtown, practiced on a partnership between residents, businesses, and government in “the integrated commercial/residential district”. Downtown revitalization is being approached with the goal of creating a neighborhood with unique balance between not only commerce and residence, but also between the old and the new. One of strategies is formulating Plan for Neighborhood Cooperation with specific zoning regulations in the integrated commercial/residential district. Kyoto City has formulated two plans (only policy).
Since the late 1990's, the transformation of unique townscape in downtown area has been outstanding by construction of middle and high-rise buildings and increasing the high-rise building capacity. Accordingly, it was indicated that formulating Plan for Neighborhood Cooperation wit specific zoning regulation spent much time and urgent strategies were indispensable. In April 2003, Kyoto City launched “The New Building Regulations in the integrated commercial/residential district” by designation of an Aesthetic Area, a new categorized Height Area, and a Specific Zoning Area for the integrated commercial/residential district.
The Landscape Low issued in June 2004. Kyoto City has begun to study applying a new system “Landmark Buildings” of the low traditional buildings such as Kyo-Machi-ya (traditional townhouses) in downtown.

View full abstract

In 1988 the city of Yokohama initiated the “General Guideline for the Preservation of Historical Yokohama” and the today City is addressing the preservation and utilization issues of various historical structures. Attempts at effectively utilizing urban spaces inherited from the past have shown positive results and the City of Yokohama has accordingly accepted the role of enhancing Yokohama's unique individual character.

View full abstract

The law about a townscape was enacted in June, this year. Local government allover the country had enacted original regulations until now. We are concerned about the governmental measure.
In Otaru-shi, “Otaru historical buildings and townscape area preservation regulations”were enacted in 1983. The cause which enacts this regulation was “the Otaru canal dispute.” Here, the historical background of Otaru is mixed and the measure for a townscape is explained.

View full abstract

This is a case introducing the revitalisation of a small city's shopping district in Oita Prefecture.
The owners were extremely concerned with the shopping district falling into grave danger due to business decline and were searching for a local pride-they found the “Showa Era” character. Now numerous shops and buildings are retained in their original Showa Era style.
In concrete terms, the concept is to maintain the style from the 4^th decade of the Showa Era on the outer facade, yet attempting to build customer contact with a liveable town through facilities such as volunteer guides etc. Furthermore, working together, the city, shopping district and the Chamber of Commerce actively participated in inviting and attracting famous toy collectors from major cities to set up business here.
This can be called a miracle because through the variety of activities undertaken, what was once a declining shopping district has now turned into one where many visitors can be seen.

View full abstract