This study clarified the changes and the appreciation style of transient landscapes found in Naruto designated as a place of scenic beauty through the 220 award-winning photographs of "Naruto Hyakkei" contest. As a result, in the early stages, the most common style was to view the whirlpools up close in the scenery of the Onaruto Bridge and the strait from the "tide-viewing boat" in spring or autumn. However, it was confirmed that gradually a style of viewing the tides, sunrises, and fog from "Aigahama Beach" and "Narutoyama Observatory" emerged. This suggests that the style changed to one that placed more importance on colorful landscapes and changes in natural phenomena over time, rather than seasonal changes. Furthermore, the Onaruto Bridge was a major subject and viewpoint for photographs, and the beauty of its structure created attractive transient landscapes at night and sunrise. On the other hand, since scenes of seasonal festivals and livelihoods could only be seen from a limited number of viewpoints, it is necessary to consider the development and operation of an open space where people can feel the four seasons. From these results, it was thus concluded that a variety of styles of appreciating transient landscapes in Naruto have been created by the people of today.

View full abstract

Kuromoji-gaki, a type of traditional Japanese garden fence made of Lindera umbellata, is facing a crisis of material procurement. In this research, we have conducted environmental survey at both current and past collection sites, interview survey to collectors and questionnaire survey to bamboo shops and landscapers to understand the current status and changes in the collection and procurement of Lindera umbellata. Based on the survey, we have identified the specific standards required for materials used in making the fences. As plenty of branches matching this standard are required for efficient collection, Yamakumada in Niigata Prefecture was the only area in Japan where the collection is currently ongoing. In the fence-making process, all orders are consolidated at bamboo shops in Kyoto, where the techniques are being successfully preserved and passed down without any issues. Almost all of resource procurement in Kyoto has been sustained by only one bamboo shop since the 1980s. Despite ongoing demand for this fence, these results indicated that the number of collectors and suitable collecting areas is limited due to modern changes in the social and natural environments, and the unorganized flow of material procurement is accelerating instability of this industry.

View full abstract

Japanese gardens outside Japan have been created as a means of international exchange, and 639 such gardens have been identified worldwide. In this study, we surveyed 35 Japanese gardens in Australia, of which 71.4% are sister city Japanese gardens, to obtain detailed data and clarify their diversity. We established a new classification system for Japanese gardens in Australia based on the nature of Japan’s involvement in their creation: 1) involvement of the Japanese government, companies, or organizations (7 gardens); 2) strong involvement of Japanese sister cities (6 gardens); 3) collaboration between Japanese and Australian citizens of sister cities (6 gardens); 4) gardens created with only gifts or advice from Japan (13 gardens); and 5) gardens with no exchange or involvement from Japan (3 gardens). We also analyzed changes in Japan’s international exchange practices over the decades, starting from the 1960s, and compared these to Japan’s involvement in the construction of Japanese gardens in Australia. This study reveals that the diverse types of Japanese gardens in Australia were influenced not only by economic conditions but also by the evolving nature of Japan’s international exchange policies and its varying levels of involvement.

View full abstract

In Japan, local natural resources have been utilized and utilized in various ways in relation to local culture. Plants and landscapes also have been handed down in the form of patterns on kimonos, crafts, and other goods of daily life, and are expected to be utilized as regional resources in the future. In this study, we focus on Japanese teacup (Yunomi) and examine the plants and landscape features painted as patterns on teacups in each region for the future utilization of regional resources in modern society. We analyzed 256 Japanese teacups produced from the late Meiji period to the early Showa period for the plants and landscapes painted on them. As a result, it was found that more than half of the teacups were painted with plants. The most frequently depicted plants were pine trees and plum trees, which have long been used as auspicious motifs. It is also suggested that the enactment of the National Park Law and other government measures to promote tourism led to the discovery of the value of regional landscapes, that plants were depicted in such landscapes, that they played an important role as landscape elements, and that they were used as regional resources.

View full abstract

This study discusses the actual conditions and history of the preservation conducted by various modern entities for “Tatsuta”, an ‘Utamakura,’ the sights known in Japanese poetries, which has two sites of comparison, from the perspective of authenticity. At one of the sites, the local government and communities conducted preservation activities while the local government and tourists were aware that the site was not an original scenic spot. However, such preservation activities could not change the fact that the site is not the original location mentioned in the poem, making it difficult to be designated as a cultural asset under the “Historic and Natural Monuments” system. On the other hand, the fact that the other site is considered as an original place of scenic beauty mentioned in the poem, was highlighted repeatedly during the preservation activities. These two sites were sometimes at odds with each other, but they cooperated for preservation and honoring activities when their interests were aligned. The findings of this study may be used as a perspective for evaluating the value of Tatsuta, where the preservation is still being conducted at two sites, and may also be applied to the preservation of other ‘Utamakura.’

View full abstract

Historical research was conducted from a socio-cultural perspective while revisiting previous discussions on the Gappo Park as a case study. The analysis focused on the following three points: first, tracing Eisaku’s involvement in the park plan of Hanazono ward until the point of setback; second, examining the situation around the establishment of the Gappo Park in Namiuchi along the old Ohshu road; and third, exploring the subsequent development of the park after its donation to Aomori Town. The results revealed that Eisaku had made significant strides towards the establishment of the park in Hanazono ward until the setback occurred due to lack of support from residents. However, following this setback, the establishment of the Gappo Park in Namiuchi was achieved with the cooperation of his supporters and Governor Yamada of Aomori Prefecture. The memorial service was an impetus for the development of the park with the cooperation of local residents. After the park was transferred to Aomori Town, Aomori Town and Aomori City, facing the small park area relative to the population, expanded the park land with the memorial service as the axis, making the south entrance of the park the main entrance, and thus built the foundation for today's Gappo Park.

View full abstract

Flower landscapes of Iris laevigata, a native Japanese wetland wildflower species, have been considered aesthetic objects in Japan since ancient times. I examined and discussed the conservation status and challenges faced by the remaining I. laevigata colonies at 10 well-known sites in Japan. Seven and three sites in the land use were used as paddy fields, improved wetlands, reservoirs or ponds and natural wetlands, respectively. The interviews with management group members at each site revealed that several colonies were declining in size. The factors that contributed to this decline included decreasing water volumes, competing plants, overpopulation of I. laevigata, feeding damage by deer, digging by wild boar, and landing and drying of wetlands. It was evident that at many sites, the growing environment was maintained under anthropogenic protection practices. Motivation for the conservation activities included the academic value of the natural monument designation, the pride and attachment to the region arising from the beauty of the flower landscape, and the interaction with visitors who came to see them. The flower landscapes of I. laevigata, which are maintained by humans, exist as seminatural communities throughout Japan, with wetlands as a habitat, which in turn represents a high degree of naturalness.

View full abstract

This study attempted to elucidate changes in outdoor activities (e.g., use of parks) and their factors before and after school size optimization in the case of children attending elementary schools in Sapporo City. As a result of the study, the following points were found. 1. As a result of case analysis of elementary schools that had been optimized, it was confirmed that there were two groups of children: those who increased their commuting distance to school after the optimization, and those who decreased their commuting distance. 2. The number of new friends increased after the optimization of the school size, and many children used parks they had never used before due to the expansion of the school district, which clearly expanded their living area. 3. Children whose commuting time to school expanded after the optimization of school size selected the parks they used because they were “close to home”. It became clear that the increase in commuting time to school due to the optimization of school size has resulted in a reduction in the amount of time children spend in outdoor activities.

View full abstract

Shrine and temple forests are developed forests that characterize the natural vegetation of the land and have natural value because they have been protected for a long time on religious grounds. In this study, we conducted a vegetation survey on shrine and temple forests dominated by evergreen broadleaf trees in Osaka prefecture and classified the plant communities and evaluated the naturalness. As a result of extracting communities by species, they were classified into four communities dominated by Quercus acut, Castanopsis cuspidate, Lithocarpus glaber, and Quercus phillyreoides. The naturalness was evaluated based on four items: the height, the diameter at breast height and the number of canopy trees which is related to development level of forest, and the number of species that compose the evergreen broad-leaved forest per survey area (α-diversity) which is related to species richness. We were able to identify forests with high natural value by evaluating and quantifying naturalness, but many forests are not registered in green space conservation systems. Therefore, it is necessary to promote the designation of conservation systems and protect them appropriately.

View full abstract

This study examines the timing and opportunities of participating in guided tours for the first time—which is important for increased use of guided tours—and clarifies the status quo of initial participation. It also investigates the relationship between first-time participants’ age and their subsequent participation in guided tours. The results demonstrate that the general trends of first-time participation vary based on the participant’s age. Many participants whose first-time participation age is less than 20 years participate as part of educational tours. Furthermore, age at the time of the survey does not affect accompanying persons, the decision to participate in a tour, and the type of participation; however, trends in tour type differ by age. This study’s analysis of first-time participation in guided tours reveals that the number and type of participation in guided tours increased when first participation occurred under the age of 20 years, irrespective of whether it was a school event. Thus, motivating young people to participate in guided tours at an early stage is effective in expanding the market over the medium to long term.

View full abstract

This study examined the possibility of fostering leaders of a sustainable society through hands-on workshops utilizing local resources such as traditional crafts, focusing on the differences in the composition of the program activity units. Specifically, we conducted a questionnaire survey of participants in a “Japanese candle-making workshop” using raw wax from sumac, a traditional local industry in the Chikugo region of Fukuoka Prefecture, and analyzed its effectiveness by individual activity and by order of implementation (A: practice → theory B: theory → practice). The results showed that Group A tended to be more effective than Group B in increasing participants' willingness to support and act on traditional crafts. In other words, the structure in which practical activities are conducted first is considered to be more effective in eliciting participants' interest and attention and fostering awareness of and attachment to local resources. However, it was also interpreted that practice does not necessarily make theory unnecessary, suggesting that while both practice and theory are essential, it is more effective to go from practice to theory in that order.

View full abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of planting structure at urban block parks from the perspective of habitat use by wintering birds to provide new insights into the design and management of urban green spaces that can contribute to urban biodiversity conservation. The vegetation survey covered 52 block parks in Kyoto City, and recorded the characteristics of trees, shrubs, and grassland. In bird survey, the number and species of birds were recorded tree by tree. In the analysis, parks and birds were classified in some groups. Additionally, regression analysis and comparison by “bird preference ratio” was conducted. The results showed that even birds of urban avoidance groups could be attracted to block parks with a diverse tree hierarchy. Furthermore, regarding tree characteristics, it was found that taller tree height and larger canopy area tended to increase bird use. Analysis by tree species showed that deciduous trees tended to be preferred over evergreen trees and that the trends of bird use differed by tree. In particular, cherry trees and Acer buergerianum were preferred in all bird groups. These findings are expected to be used as a practical reference when making planting plan and growing, pruning or replanting trees in urban green spaces.

View full abstract

One factor contributing to the expansion of the gardening market is the availability of pesticides for home gardening. In the past, pesticides were primarily used by farmers and were not familiar in the context of gardening. However, with the technical advancements in pesticides, products that do not require specialized skills or complex preparation have been developed, making them more accessible. In this study, a survey was conducted among urban residents engaged in gardening to clarify the actual state of pesticide use in gardening. The results showed that approximately 30% of respondents use pesticides. More than half of them were experienced gardeners with over 10 years of experience, and it was found that they engage in gardening to maintain their physical and mental health. Regarding pesticide use, it was found that users, similar to non-users, are conscious of health risks to humans and the environmental impact. However, in terms of points of caution, users showed less awareness about the frequency of use, storage periods, and expiration dates. In the future, it will be important to raise awareness about the significance of these issues and promote the appropriate use of pesticides among the public.

View full abstract

This study aimed to clarify the relationship between land use and bird occurrence in residential areas interspersed with farmland, such as fields and paddy field. The study site was located in the Nishigamo and Kamigamo areas of Kita Ward, Kyoto City, where farmland is scattered among residential areas. Bird surveys were conducted at 22 points during the breeding and wintering seasons. Principal component analysis was performed using bird data, and the correlation between principal component scores and land use data edited in GIS was analyzed. The results indicated that some bird species were more prevalent in areas where farmland and residential areas were in close proximity. Specifically, paddy field, which have different conditions during the breeding and wintering seasons, appeared to provide habitat for ground-foraging species such as the White-cheeked Starling and Japanese Wagtail. Compared to bird surveys conducted in large agricultural landscapes in previous studies, the study site supported fewer species. However, the proximity of farmland and residential areas was found to be significant for species inhabiting urban areas. Additionally, we concluded that the site provides cultural services, including the cultivation of Kyoto's unique traditional vegetables and the arrival of Barn Swallows.

View full abstract

In this study, we clarified the outcomes of children's learning according to the differences in the programs of the satoyama experience learning in Kawanishi City, based on the analysis of their impressions from the questionnaire survey. As a result, it was suggested that a wide range of children's interests, knowledge, understanding, motivation, and behavior could be promoted, especially in the “observation/walking” and “management experience” programs. However, in one case where “observation/walking” was the main activity, the level of interest, knowledge, and understanding was low, and it was suggested that “management experience” did not draw the children's interest in nature, animals, and plants other than management work. Therefore, there is a possibility to promote children's interest, knowledge, and understanding by combining this program with other programs. Moreover, since it was suggested that the presence or absence of instructors may affect the depth of the children's knowledge and understanding, it can be said that the enhancement of supporters is also an important perspective.

View full abstract

This study focuses on the historic Mizuki site and aims to clarify residents' awareness of the maintenance project and citizen-led conservation activities. It also examines the differences in value recognition between participants in these activities and the general public, as well as the challenges faced. A survey was conducted with members of the citizen group "Mizuki-no-kai" and the general public. The results revealed that while the Mizuki site is widely recognized among the general population, awareness of the maintenance project and citizen conservation activities remains low. Although there were many points of agreement between the citizen group and the public regarding the value of the Mizuki site, differences emerged in their perceptions of specific attractive features. To sustain conservation efforts, it is necessary to increase public interest through information dissemination and events. Furthermore, one of the key challenges identified is the aging membership of the citizen groups, highlighting the need to engage younger participants for the long-term continuation of these activities.

View full abstract

Although there have been many studies dealing with users' attitudes towards user fees in Japanese national parks, there are no studies with a perspective on the impact on the amount of travel consumption or on the sources of cost sharing other than public and user fees. In this study, using Odaigahara as a case study, the objectives were 1) to clarify climbers' attitudes towards entry fees and financial resources for national park management, and 2) to obtain suggestions for the sustainable management of national parks. Analysis of the questionnaire responses of 490 climbers who visited Odaigahara revealed that: 1) setting an entrance fee of ¥1,000 to Odaigahara would reduce trip consumption by 12%; 2) many climbers would not pay the entrance fee out of obligation or reluctance, but because they wanted to help preserve the environment; 3) Users of Odaigahara think that the national park should be managed not only by their own user burden but also by the financial burden of the Forest Environment Tax, the International Tourist Tax, and companies that benefit from the presence of users.

View full abstract

In order to promote sustainable forest management, it is essential to elaborate effective measures to detect forest species and spatial structures. Recent rapid development of remote sensing technologies including drone and LiDAR could allow such a new forest measurement. In this study, we used Tomogashima Islands in central Japan and attempted to detect individual tree canopies from drone imagery and LiDAR dataset covering the whole island through dual uses of object-based image analysis and machine learning methods. As the results, we were able to detect 4378 tree crowns of ubame oak (Quercus phillyreoides), dominant tree species in the island, among total 45129 tree crowns. Although we still need further field validations and various parametrical applications to other sites, our methods could have potential to classify tree crowns in the mixed broadleaf forest unlike existing methods mainly for conifer plantations and similar artificial forest types.

View full abstract

Experiencing nature through outdoor activities is essential for children's physical and mental development. However, the number of childcare facilities without their own gardens or playgrounds is increasing due to deregulations related to establishing childcare facilities in Japan. This study assesses the sufficiency of urban parks and other green spaces within walking distance of childcare facilities in Tokyo through an accessibility analysis using geographic information systems. The findings reveal significant differences in park and green space accessibility based on the type and year of establishment of childcare facilities. In particular, childcare facilities established after the deregulations, as well as new-type childcare facilities, had poorer access to parks. However, when considering other urban green spaces, such as schoolyards, temple and shrine grounds, and urban farmlands, the sufficiency rate significantly improved, increasing from an average of 53% to 85%. These results highlight the need for government intervention to enhance children's access to outdoor activities. Potential measures include acting as an intermediary between childcare facilities and landowners or managers of urban green spaces or issuing collaborative guidelines to promote the opening of these spaces to childcare facilities.

View full abstract

Mt. Ibuki has long been worshipped as a sacred mountain and is also known as a treasure house of medicinal herbs. We conducted a literature review and field survey of Mt. Ibuki and the Kasuga area of Ibigawa Town located on its eastern slope, particularly the villages of Furuya and Sasamata. A list of medicinal herbs in Mt. Mt.Ibuki as a basis for medicinal herb culture, and maps showing the relationship between medicinal herb growing areas and land use around 1970 and today were clarified. A total of 293 medicinal herbs have been identified on Mt. Ibuki, including 12 endangered species, and these have been classified into 21 categories according to the part of the plant used for medicinal purposes and 41 categories according to how they are used. In the Kasuga area, 83 species are currently used, and most of which were found growing inside the animal damage prevention fence in the Sasamata arable land. The number of medicinal herbs used and their uses is decreasing, but the medicinal herb culture that makes use of a diverse range of plants has been a part of people's lives. It is significant that the region has inherited its own medicinal herb culture, which is closely linked to local biodiversity.

View full abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a type of developmental disorder. The characteristics of the disorder can be organized into two categories: "social problems" and "persistence and sensory problems. In recent years, studies have been conducted to determine the ideal outdoor play environment for children with ASD, and guidelines and specific design proposals have been made, but little attention has been paid to the opinions of parents of children with ASD in the study process. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the actual situation of troubles and difficulties that ASD children and their parents encounter in parks, and to consider how support should be provided by local governments. The results revealed that more than 80% of children with ASD and their parent encountered problems or difficulties at the park. The most common problems were "rules," "interaction," and "difficulty in switching from playing to going home.

View full abstract

At PLATEAU, 3D city models are being developed, utilized, and converted into open data, but the parks and green spaces are treated as aerial images without height. Japanese gardens are highly regarded around the world as Japan beauty, so it must be beautiful even in 3D models, but garden stones have complex shapes and surface and each stone is one and only, so realistic 3D modeling has not yet developed and has not been widely used. In this study, we used a handy laser scanner used in reverse engineering to test the creation of a 3D model of garden stones with an accuracy of less than a millimeter. For measurement, a gap of 52 cm around the object is required. Garden stones installed in gardens are often not able to remove measurement obstacles, so the parts that can be measured are limited, but they can be used for 3D modeling of Japanese gardens. In addition, if it is a garden stone as a garden material, it was possible to create a 3D model of the entire circumference of the stone by turning it over from top to bottom. It was suggested that a 3D model of the garden stone could be used as an online catalog for garden stone sales.

View full abstract

This study examines the development of the concept and identifies the characteristics of discussions on buffer zones in world natural heritage sites based on the minutes of the World Heritage Committee meetings. The results showed that 1) the rate of establishing buffer zones in world natural heritage sites is about 39%, and compared to world cultural heritage sites, visual impacts are rarely mentioned, while coordination and cooperation with local communities are more common. Requests for buffer zone establishment and management regulations were mentioned more often, and the buffer zone and surrounding areas were also discussed. 2) The establishment of buffer zones was more frequently mentioned in world natural heritage sites overlapping with national parks, whereas development restrictions were more commonly discussed in sites overlapping with biosphere reserves. Coordination and cooperation with residents were relatively evenly mentioned, regardless of whether the sites overlapped with other protected areas or not. 3) It was found that the World Heritage Committee sought to differentiate buffer zones of world natural heritage sites by emphasizing the protection of the OUV and integrity while mentioning ecological connectivity etc.

View full abstract

The aims of this study were to examine and compare the visitors’ awareness about the purposes of suggested donations and to examine the visitors' awareness of how they would like to contribute to the local tourist attractions or the local destination management. The survey participants were people who visited Asama-Kogen rhododendron park in May 2024. The park asks the visitors for a suggested donation during the period when many flowers are in bloom in the park. 165 visitors’ awareness about the purposes of the suggested donation were divided into 4 groups by cluster analysis. There was a relationship between the levels of satisfaction with the park and the awareness of whether it is appropriate to spend donated money not only on the costs of the park but also on the local nature resources management and other things. With covering a part of the costs for new local natural tourist attractions, approximately 99% of respondents agreed that paying at the time of admission would be acceptable, while approximately 85% agreed that paying at the time of accommodation would be acceptable. There was a relationship between whether or not the visitors agreed with additional payment for accommodation and their revisit intentions to the park.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the current situation and trends of wind energy facilities (WEFs) in proximity to National Parks (NPs) and Quasi-National Parks (QNPs), and to highlight the issues of the zoning with park areas. Using GIS, this study analyzed the location of wind energy facilities across Japan and conducted a detailed analysis of nine NPs and QNPs where cluster-type onshore wind farms are located within 2km of the parks. The finding revealed the following points: (1) WEFs within park areas are being installed adjacent to special protection zones. (2) WEFs are being installed in class I special zones, where such installation should be fundamentally excluded. (3) There is a tendency for WEFs located outside the park areas being extremely close to the park boundaries. These results suggest the need to reconsider the methods of zoning management within NPs and QNPs, as well as propose the establishment of buffer zones around the park areas. Although these works require the collaboration and coordination of many stakeholders. It is essential to consider the relationship between natural parks and local communities, and more concrete strategies for the operation of zoning must be proposed.

View full abstract

More and more opinions regard the management of public space depending on prohibiting as a no-good. We are discovering a new concept of management to try to increase the diversity of utilization by exemplifying what we can do there. The study aims to clarify what kinds of utilization appear there and how the plaza is, through the management that attaches importance to such a new concept of management. In the study, two ways of research have been implemented for the plaza in front of a station in Toyota City in early summer as a case study. One is a field observation, and the other is an interview for the managing staff of the plaza. Finally, we got the two findings. The first is the image of the plaza might to be fixed for the citizens because activities as skateboarding can be seen frequently in the plaza. The second is when the usages that are exemplified appear, they tend to be practiced unevenly.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the landscape caused by vehicular traffic. By analyzing complexity using fractal analysis, measuring width and curve radius using maps, and investigating the number of accidents that have occurred in the past in the Hakone area of western Kanagawa Prefecture, where various mountain roads exist, the characteristics of safe roads with few accidents were examined. A total of three roads in Kanagawa Prefecture were targeted. In order to examine the fractal dimension quantitatively, the correlation between width and curve radius was determined for the fractal dimension of the target roads, and was found to be significant for all roads. Furthermore, all analyses confirmed that roads with a high number of accidents are characterized by a curve radius of R=100m or less and a fractal dimension of ±0.050 to 0.075 up or down in the curve section. In other words, improvement of curves corresponding to each of the indicators obtained in this study and improvement of the design of curves that are the values of the indicators from the road planning stage will contribute to the creation of safe and comfortable roads with fewer accidents in the future.

View full abstract

In recent years, the demand for contact with agriculture by urban residents has been growing. Urban parks have been recognized as playing an important role as spaces for agricultural activities. Based on a survey of eleven urban parks with allotment gardens in Yokohama City, we explored the characteristics that promote various entities and forms of participation in park management and investigated more effective ways of the management. The results showed that: 1) the involvement of local organizations in management was limited to a small number of programs; 2) the participation of various entities in the management was associated with promoted community interaction, improved intergenerational interaction, and increased park use; 3) community gardens could provide community residents with a venue to conduct agricultural activities with others, thus promoting community interaction and the participation of various entities in the programs.

View full abstract

A new analytical method was developed to clarify the relationship between the spatial distribution of forests accessible to urban residents and their land use, to realize a nature-positive society. A detailed analysis was conducted for the area of Densely Inhabited Districts and their surrounding regions in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, using high-resolution land-cover maps and open data such as parcel area survey drawings. The results revealed the importance of forests in diverse land uses in the city, including not only government-managed open green spaces in urbanized areas but also forestry and agricultural lands in traditional settlements. Based on these results, new policy recommendations for forest conservation and recreational use have been made in relation to the accessibility of urban residents. This study is expected to contribute to urban planning and nature conservation policies by clarifying the role of forests in diverse land uses in urban areas, which has not been adequately considered in previous studies. Furthermore, the utilization of open data demonstrates the potential for the construction of models to understand the relationships between forests, land use, and citizen access, aligning with the growing trend towards open-source monitoring.

View full abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the implementation of regional problem solution business by the landscape construction industry and the factors affecting implementation based on company size. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 880 landscaping companies nationwide (166 valid responses). The results are as follows: 1) 66% of the surveyed companies are small-sized companies with twenty employees or fewer. 2) 77% of the surveyed companies have implemented regional problem solution business. 3) The small-sized companies that have implemented regional problem solution business prioritize initiatives such as acquiring specialized knowledge through academic societies and conducting leadership development sessions. 4) Medium-to-large-sized companies that have implemented regional problem solution business prioritize initiatives such as creating a positive impact on local communities, building relationships with people from other fields, enhancing employee awareness of the local area, and developing local leaders.

View full abstract

Modern industry has not only formed magnificent industrial landscapes (technoscapes) in surrounding areas but has also fostered distinctive regional cultures. The value of these “cultural landscapes,” formed by the natural and human geographical conditions of the region, is expected to be further discussed in the future. The production of paper, known as the “barometer of culture,” evolved into modern Western paper production with the introduction of machinery after the Meiji era. The paper and pulp industry brought infrastructure development, employment, and wealth to surrounding areas, and further formed a distinctive industrial culture. This study focuses on Takasago City in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, which developed as a port city in the early modern period. It manifests the industrial landscape created by the modern paper and pulp industry, specifically Mitsubishi Paper Mills Ltd., as well as the infrastructure developed by the company (water supply, recreational facilities, housing, and religious facilities) and the relationship between the distinctive artistic culture led by local figures such as Kuraku Chosaburo and Nagata Koui and the industry.

View full abstract

The thermal environment, particularly thermal comfort, is an important factor influencing human behavior. This study aims to clarify the impact of thermal comfort on staying patterns in outdoor spaces. By focusing on the relationship between thermal comfort and staying patterns, the study seeks to provide valuable insight for promoting active area management and creating outdoor spaces with a focus on thermal environment. Data on staying patterns, represented by count and duration of stay, were collected and compared with the variation of thermal comfort to understand the impact. The results indicate that 80% of staying counts and durations occurred when SET* was in range of 27.6°C to 33.0°C. The impact of outdoor thermal comfort on staying patterns was confirmed through the relationship between total sitting duration and count with SET*. It is, when SET* exceeds 30°C, these staying pattern parameters decrease as SET* increases. This finding offers valuable insight into how and to what extent improvements in thermal comfort can affect staying pattern in outdoor spaces.

View full abstract

The management of green streets, which enhances the quality of the environment and human amenities, can contribute to the improvement of a city's attractiveness and value. The objective of this study is to elucidate the factors that contribute to the establishment of green street management. To this end, the study employs a case study approach, focusing on the city of Shin-Yokohama, where local entities are engaged in effective and sustainable management practices. Green Street Management was established through a development process that expanded from a small initiative, the participation of diverse entities, and public-private partnerships to foster management entities. The techniques employed by private entities to promote landscape enhancement, exchange promotion, and human resource development included the formulation and dissemination of activity policies, project management, fundraising, and organizational management. Green Street Management was also established through variable planting management in accordance with planting goals, communication strategies that are accessible to pedestrians, and the cultivation of interest groups.

View full abstract

This study focuses on the Green Flag Awards (GFA), finding about their current utilization of this awarding system in urban parks in Greater London. The purpose of this research is providing suggestions on means to improve the quality of the management for urban parks by clarifying the significance and role of GFA. The results of this research is firstly, GFA provides specific details of a “well maintained park” that local authorities can understand, and they focus on providing specific advice continuously to local authorities on achieving the standard of park management set by the UK government. Secondly, we found that the GFA is used as a communication tool for stakeholders of parks and is effective in guaranteeing the quality of the work of contractors. Lastly, we found that GFA can be an incentive for local authorities to improve the quality of their parks, by being included in the political promises and marketing goals or rewarded with funding. However the issue with GFA is, it could be difficult use in small parks. Therefore, GFA can be a good example to have an awarding system to improve urban parks but criteria's needs to be reformed to be introduced.

View full abstract

This study explains why companies entering agriculture acquire farmland and how their participation in community management relates to farmland expansion and the rehabilitation of abandoned land. The research methods include a literature review of company websites and newspaper articles, in addition to questionnaires and interviews with people in charge of agricultural businesses. The results show that 76.2% of the surveyed companies entering agriculture expanded their farmland, and half acquired farmland on a large scale (more than 10 hectares) and implemented open-field cultivation. Furthermore, 66.7% of the companies conducted farmland restoration; however, there was little correlation between the rehabilitation of abandoned land and the size or expansion of farmland. While most companies accepted agricultural training programs, many managed their agriculture-related assets, such as irrigation canals, individually rather than through local collaboration. Furthermore, companies involved in the production of raw materials such as sake and wine organized events to showcase their manufacturing processes, which contributed to the dissemination of regional information.

View full abstract