We developed a method to understand the urban structure for well-being by combining tree canopy coverage and pedestrian flow data. Greater exposure to green spaces ensures greater benefits for residents of an area. By determining the degree to which the citizens of a city are close to green spaces, the degree of exposure to green spaces in that city can be quantified. We calculated the probability of encountering green spaces from pedestrian flow data and used this probability as the Green Accessibility Index (GAI). The GAI is the degree of exposure to green spaces; because the pedestrian flow data used are all-day data, we can convert this information to a 24-hour period to attain a time unit. This is called the Cumulative Green Spaces Exposure Time (CGSET). By converting the amount of exposure to green spaces into hours, we can respond to findings from measuring the effects per hour seen in public health research. By using these values to evaluate urban structure, we can consider the strategic placement of green spaces, and in the competition for their use in urban areas with limited space, we can theoretically organize the trade-off between the multifunctional benefits of green spaces and the functions that could be realized if the spaces were utilized differently.

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Stress management for office workers has become a critical issue in recent years, with office greening gaining attention as a potential solution. Recent studies suggested that setting plants on individual desks can improve office worker's mental state. However, the burden of individually maintaining for desk plants poses a significant challenge. This study introduced a greening method where workers can freely exchange desk plants, eliminating the need for individual maintenance (self-managed system). This study evaluated the psychological effects of the self-managed system and compared them with those of the conventional fixed system, which requires individual plants management. The results indicated that different methods of greening had distinct effects on participant's emotions, as measured by the Profile of Mood States 2 (POMS 2), as well as on their subjective evaluations assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Based on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Y-2 (STAI Y-2), participants were further categorized according to their levels of trait anxiety. The results revealed that the psychological effects of greening methods differed depending on individual anxiety tendencies. This suggested that tailoring greening systems to account for personal psychological traits can optimize their effectiveness. These insights highlighted the potential of innovative greening methods to enhance office environments, reduce stress, and support worker well-being.

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Sanda City is a municipality with the largest number of street trees per capita in Hyogo prefecture, mainly in the new town that began to be occupied in the 1980s, and developed the “Street trees policy for optimizated growing and management” with the following points in 2022. The process of development was ①identification of street trees through tree-by-tree survey,②organize issues and relationship to higher-level and related plans, ③basic concept drafting, ④determination of policy on issues, ⑤organizing perspectives and ideas, ⑥planning concrete measures to realize the policy. ② were organized by planning, using, maintenance technique and environment, economy and institutions aspect. ③ had organized the relationship between community development around the comprehensive plan and landscape plan. ④ consisted of an improvement of the city's brand power, safe/secure/comfortable street environment, optimizated growing and management, collaborative efforts. We have specifically presented the perspectives and ideas that comprise these, study of the leading initiative in Akashia-dai, and “Green Management Sanda 2.0” that is the foundation for optimization.

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This research targeted the Omuro 88 temple pilgrimage sites at Ninna-ji Temple. This report investigated three items "The direction the principal image is facing", "the pilgrimage route" and "the distinctive topography of the temple". The objective was to compare these features with those of the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage and to consider the origins of the Omuro pilgrimage. And, the Sanskrit characters engraved on the Cho-ishi (stone markers) along the pilgrimage route were documented. The findings reveal that the Omuro pilgrimage imitates the general structure of the Shikoku pilgrimage, particularly in terms of temple names, principal image and pilgrimage route. On the other hand, it was revealed that the "distance between temples", "the orientation of the principal image", "characteristics of the Mido (Inner Sanctuary)" cannot be said to be imitations of temples in Shikoku and are unique to Omuro. It also became clear that the number of stones placed along the "pilgrimage route" did not represent a "sacred site".

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The purpose of this study was to examine the psychological effects of a horticultural therapy program utilizing Kobe Sports Park. The objective was to examine the effectiveness of the program by utilizing the park's outdoor space, green space, and indoor environment for a program that has traditionally been conducted inside the facility. Each program was organized into three categories, considering the five healing aspects of horticultural therapy (green space environment, plants, cultivation, creative activities, and interaction). The first is "horticultural activities" such as green space maintenance and planting activities in the park; the second is "park utilization" such as observing nature in the park and experiencing mindfulness; and the third is "creative activities" in which participants create artworks using natural materials found in the park. A psychological effectiveness survey using POMS2 was conducted before and after the horticultural therapy program (7 sessions), and significant differences in psychological improvement were observed at all sessions. The participants also gave positive evaluations of the program. Regarding the park-based horticultural therapy, the effectiveness of the program in providing psychological benefits under appropriate environment and preparation was confirmed.

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The distribution of blooming plants on the forest floor was investigated in a secondary deciduous broadleaf forest in Nakagawa Town, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. One hundred thirty-six study grid plots of 5 × 5 m were set up on the forest floor (3,400 m² in total), and the population of blooming plants in each study plot was recorded. This survey was conducted in 2022 and supplemented in 2023, with a total of 71 species and 9,758 individual plants in bloom. During seasonal changes, the number of blooming species demonstrated a two-peaked pattern in spring and mid-summer, whereas the number of blooming individuals was concentrated in spring. The TWIN-SPAN method was used to classify the number of blooming individuals of each species into eight types according to the presence or absence of the indicator species. The distribution trend of the typological classification of blooming species structure differed depending on the study plot conditions on the floor of the same forest and was largely influenced by the frequency of human use along walking paths and other areas. Higher numbers of blooming species and individuals were observed along the walking paths, which suggests that pressure from human use has caused diversity in the site environment.

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This study focused on habitat area, dIIC as a method for evaluating the biodiversity conservation function of urban green spaces, and examined the possibility of using each index by clarifying the relationship with the actual habitat status of birds. The habitat status of birds was determined using the results of a survey conducted by the National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, targeting parks and green spaces in Tokyo (survey results from spring to early summer, which is the breeding season for many birds). The distribution data of forests used in the functional evaluation was obtained from JAXA's high-resolution land use and land cover map. As a result of the study, in the evaluation using habitat area as an index, the occurrence rate of Japanese Pygmy Woodpeckers in forests of 2.0 ha or more was 80% or more, and a clear difference in occurrence rate was confirmed compared to forests of less than 0.2 ha, so it was considered possible to set the threshold for suitable habitats for Japanese Pygmy Woodpeckers at 2.0 ha. In the evaluation using dIIC as an index, the relationship between dIIC analyzed at a threshold distance of 500 m and the number of Japanese Pygmy Woodpeckers showed a strong positive correlation, but the confidence interval of the coefficient was wider than others.

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This study was conducted with the aim of understanding the relationship between the spatial features of park spaces make by utilizing river spaces and the functions. First, a literature-based case study was conducted to extract examples of river parks that fulfill a variety of functions, and then classified based on their relationship with the river and their functions as green infrastructure. In addition, schematic cross-sectional diagrams were created for some parks to understand the green infrastructure functions that each space. As a result, each case was classified into river channels, levees, retarding basins and regulating ponds, and open levee and riverside forests, and the green infrastructure functions of each example were organized into rainwater storage, rainwater infiltration, flood control, flow velocity reduction, places for biological growth/habitat, places to place to experience nature, creating a good landscape, places for sports field, places for recreation, and tourism and regional development.

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BIM/CIM integrates and manages information handled in construction projects as digital data， making it easier for contractors and clients to utilize and share data， thereby improving the efficiency of the entire construction production and management system. This aims to reduce manpower and increase productivity for both contractors and clients. However， its implementation in the landscape architecture field is rarely seen.In this study， the movement in policy related to BIM/CIM were organized. Next， the concepts and process for implementing BIM/CIM in the planning， design， construction， and maintenance of parks and green spaces were clarified. As a result， the differences and characteristics of BIM/CIM objects， tree structure, and information in the landscape architecture field compared to other fields were identified. Finally， the methods for creating these elements and their utilization in each stage of planning， design， construction， and maintenance were presented.

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In this study, we conducted field-based pulling tests using the PiCUS TreeQinetic (manufactured by IML) to measure the bending strength of green wood. Pulling tests were performed on dead trees and damaged branches affected by the oak ambrosia beetle (Platypus quercivorus), and stress-strain curves were derived from the test results. These findings suggest that the wood strength of trees damaged by the beetle declines as a result of infestation. In contrast, stress-strain curves obtained from ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) branches during the fruit-bearing period showed less clearly defined linearity in the elastic region compared to those of infested Quercus serrata (konara oak). Notably, for female ginkgo branches with a diameter of 33 mm, considerable variability was observed in the scatter plots. When conducting pulling tests in the field, it is necessary to consider the effects of factors such as the diameter and species of the tested green wood, as they may influence the results. Moreover, by calculating the stress caused by the self-weight of fruit-bearing ginkgo branches, we were able to evaluate the potential risk of branch breakage due to self-loading.

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Matsunokaze Cultural Park in Nerima Ward, Tokyo, opened in April 2014 on the former site of the Bank of Japan Shakujii Sports Ground. The 4.8-hectare park preserved existing trees and buildings while adding sports facilities, jogging paths, and cultural spaces. The park was planned around three core goals: preserving nature, supporting diverse sports, and promoting local culture and tourism. A major issue was the narrow sidewalk along Fujikaido Avenue, which posed safety concerns. Though the road was managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the contractor responded to residents’ requests by conducting surveys and presenting proposals for sidewalk widening. After persistent discussions, Nerima Ward agreed to set back park land, and Tokyo reconstructed the sidewalk, creating a safer, integrated space. Despite coordination with other ongoing construction projects and a fixed opening date, the contractor managed the project efficiently. The experience emphasized the importance of planning, flexibility, and community-focused thinking in urban park development.

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Abstract: Using a coppice in Takanezawa Town, Tochigi Prefecture, as a case study, we investigated the history of management activities, specific practices, and participation motivations across various local sectors and examined the effects of these efforts on forest floor vegetation. At the study site, coppice management was undertaken by groups with different objectives, including nature-based childcare, a sports bike course (SBC), and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Despite differing goals, the various local sectors found enjoyment in collaboratively managing the forest floor, which served as motivation to continue undercutting and related activities. Compared to unmanaged areas, the meadow and SBC zones—where management had been resumed showed a recovery in species diversity on the forest floor, largely due to the reduced dominance of Pleioblastus chino. Notably, species density did not differ significantly between the two. However, differences in species composition and vegetation cover were observed between the meadow and SBC areas, reflecting differences in management practices based on their respective recreational uses. The SBC area, in particular, was judged to be compatible with forest floor vegetation conservation due to the relatively large patches of undisturbed vegetation preserved between bike courses.

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The National Urban Greening Kawasaki Fair, held from October 2024 to June 2025, required the stable and planned procurement of approximately 350,000 plants. Therefore, we decided to enter into an agreement with the Council for Procurement of Plants to proceed with the procurement of plants. In addition, we appointed a plant supervisor to oversee the overall progress and provide advice and suggestions from a professional perspective. In coordinating with each plant production group, we proceeded with the adjustment by creating and sharing a plant list in stages. On the other hand, we thought it would be desirable to proceed with the adjustment in advance for the procurement of plants that are cultivated at different times than usual or plants that differ from the standards distributed in the market. Since the Kawasaki Fair was held in two periods, in the fall and spring, some issues that arose in the fall, such as the method of intermediate surveys and the labeling of sorting stickers, were able to be improved in preparation for the spring. We hope that this case will be of some use as a case study for greening events and greening construction projects that procure a large number of plants in a limited period of time.

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The objectives of this technical report are, firstly, to present two types of coffee cutback methods and their results, secondly, to present the distribution of root systems of non-fruitful trees.The survey subjects were three coffee farms in the northern region of Okinawa Prefecture. The survey methods consisted of interviews, and surveys of the tree's specifications, vitality, fruition status, and the distribution of root systems. The survey results showed that, firstly, in aggressive cutting back, trees are cut about 30 cm from the base, one to three long branches grow from that point,and the mortality rate is 10%, and fruiting begins about three years after the procedure.In addition, in transplants where accidental cutting back was performed, the trees w ere cut at a height of about 17 cm, and the mortality rate was 0%. After transplantation, the vitality were good and it was shown that the trees bor e fruit.The survey results showed that, secondly, coffee grown in poor soil conditions had root systems dist ributed in shallow soil, with the taproot not extending downward.

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