There is a lot of interest in the way cities plan for high-rise buildings around the world. Using the city of Frankfurt as a case study in western Europa, this paper clarifies the historical development process of the skyscraper city and the mechanisms of the “High-Rise Development Plan 2024 (HHEP2024)”. Based on interview surveys in Frankfurt in 2023 and 2024, as well as comprehensive literature surveys, the following three points were clarified. 1) The path to the skyscraper city was not a straight line, but it was formed in stages. 2) Based on HHEP 2024, the high-rise building district will undergo significant changes based on culture and green spaces. 3) HHEP 2024 clearly positions non-statutory plans as preparatory plans for statutory plans.

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This paper investigates how FRS 30 and FRS 102 have shaped the recognition and reporting of heritage assets in the UK. FRS 30 introduced a framework for disclosing culturally significant assets, while FRS 102 maintained these principles with broader applicability. Through analysis of financial reports from institutions such as English Heritage, the study finds that these standards improved transparency but left room for varied interpretations due to valuation challenges. The paper concludes that while the standards help integrate public cultural assets into financial reporting, they highlight the limits of traditional accounting in capturing non-financial value.

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The present age is the era of the ‘Anthropocene’, in which we face the global environmental burden brought about by Anthropocentrism, and the influence of the architectural and urban fields, based on the physical environment, is significant. To confirm the theoretical trends of Post-Anthropocentric Materialism (PAM), which recognizes the subjectivity of action even in non-human entities after the Material Turn since the 1980s in the architectural and urban fields. This paper reviews the historical evolution of materialism and the major concepts of PAM, such as Actor- Network Theory, New Materialism, and Sociomateriality. PAM will be one of the future theoretical foundations for re-positioning architecture and cities not as fixed static objects, but as mediums for dynamic relationships to be generated, and for opening up new ethics and practices in architecture and urban environments.

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This study aimed to develop a town-walk program designed to enhance place attachment and subjective well-being,and to verify its effectiveness. Focusing on the concept of "place sensitivity," which influences how people perceive urban environments, the program was implemented and evaluated. As a result, it was found to increase both place attachment and subjective well-being. Moreover, by fostering this sensitivity, participants showed increased interest in various towns beyond the target area and reported enhanced well-being during daily town walks. These findings suggest that the program has the potential to enhance place attachment and subjective well-being through everyday engagement with a variety of urban environments.

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This study aims to clarify the previously unknown appearance of Tehran immediately after its urban renovation in the 19th century based on the descriptions in “The Journey to Persia” and “Persian Travelogue”. The research method is historical. First, based on previous studies, the urban formation history of Tehran is summarized, focusing on the skeletal structures related to later urban renovations (Chap.2). Next, descriptions related to Tehran's urban renovations are extracted and examined from the two primary source texts (Chap.3). Then, the records in both texts will be cross-referenced with a map from 1891, and the trajectories will be plotted on the map to verify the nature of the urban spatial transformation (Chap.4).Finally, I will examine the impressions (praise, criticism, etc.) of Yoshida and others who stayed in Tehran for nearly four months, and attempt to position this as an experience of overseas urban planning for early Meiji-era Japanese (Chap.5).

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This study examines the images of Japanese City Pop, a distinctive urban music culture that emerged in Japan during the 1970s, by organizing discourses and applying quantitative analysis to its lyrical content. The results suggest that the images of different words representing the idea of “City” reflect different aspects of the image of “City”, such as a prosperous one and a nostalgic one. Additionally, they show that Japanese City Pop has a wide variety of images related to “City” in lyrics, which have undergone changes over time. Moreover, they suggest that the images in lyrics reflect the actual cityscapes or historical contexts in Japanese cities, especially Tokyo. This study will contribute to the development of effective city branding strategies by utilizing the images found in Japanese City Pop.

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This study clarifies changes in activity-travel behavior around large-scale urban redevelopment, segmented by visit patterns. Human mobility data from two special districts for urban regeneration in Tokyo reveals the following. 1) Improved connectivity to railway stations shortened travel times, leading to more uniform activity-travel behavior near stations. 2) The introduction of mixed-use facilities increased short-term visits by workers and residents, while workers exhibited longer stays and reduced movement. 3) New pedestrian decks and underground passage connections facilitated smoother pedestrian flow, allowing the redeveloped sites to serve as walking routes for surrounding areas. 4) Longer weekday use by residents in the surrounding area has increased but shopping around activities may have decreased. 5) Surrounding commercial and public facilities influenced behavioral shifts. 6 ) GPS based cluster analysis proves effective for assessing redevelopment’s impact, offering a quantitative framework for urban planning.

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This study quantitatively analyzes the qualitative pedestrian behavior of “rambling”—strolling accompanied by pauses—to better understand actual pedestrian activity. Based on location data, we developed the Rambling Activity (RA) ratio and mapped its spatial distribution. The results revealed patterns differing from simple pedestrian counts, underscoring the importance of evaluating behavioral quality. Correlation analysis between the RA ratio and urban environmental factors showed that in high-density areas, rambling behavior was closely linked to commercial and amenity facilities. In contrast, in moderately dense areas, no clear correlations emerged. However, analysis of pause locations suggested that not just the number of shops, but also their influence and the walking environment, may affect rambling behavior.

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Approximately 30% of CO₂ emissions in Japan is generated from buildings. To solve this problem, it is essential to consider how cities can be carbon neutral. For this reason, the Japanese government is promoting the use of wood in buildings. This study focuses on the wood construction of buildings in urban renewal and aims to clarify how this affects LCCO₂. Firstly, we reviewed government policies and analyzed the direction of wood construction in the target sites. After setting the conditions for conversion to wood construction for individual buildings, we evaluated the CO₂ emissions comparing RC construction and wood construction. Finally, the effectiveness of wood construction with urban renewal was evaluated, assuming the conversion of buildings to wood construction in Sapporo City Center. As a result, it was found that wood construction of buildings contributes to the reduction of LCCO₂, and the importance of measures based on the characteristics of the city was clarified.

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The aim of this study is to analyze 147 market cases in central Tokyo, clarifying operational trends, relationships with nearby residents, and characteristics of spatial arrangements. Using cluster analysis, five market types were identified, followed by a questionnaire survey targeting organizing bodies to explore each type’ s specific features. The analysis revealed five distinct types: "Community-based," serving as local relaxation spaces; "Road-based," organized by local groups; "Residential-temples and shrines-based," acting as platforms for local information exchange; "Event-based commercial area," held irregularly in commercial zones; and "Routine commercial area-based," frequently held in large commercial areas. The findings highlight the need for differentiated approaches to market operation depending on spatial characteristics, particularly between residential and commercial areas.

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This study focuses on the insufficient verification mechanisms in Japanese BID (Business Improvement District) by analyzing Singapore's “Pilot BID Programme” . Through interviews with Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority, area-based management organizations, and field research, we analyzed the program's institutional design, operational structure, and activities. The results showed that an experimental approach enables flexible fee collection methods and confirmed the effectiveness of comprehensive support through subsidies, hands-on assistance, and coordination functions. The findings suggest that implementing a similar trial mechanism in Japan would contribute to the expansion of BID systems nationwide.

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This study examines the residential conditions of villages in small-scale disaster prevention group relocation housing complexes developed after the Great East Japan Earthquake, focusing on peninsula coastal areas of Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. This study revealed three main findings: 1) Many affected households built homes on lots for self-reconstruction, while a significant number of lots remain vacant; 2) Although large numbers of vacant disaster public housing units have not emerged, occupancy is being maintained through general admissions and in-migration; 3) The occupancy rate of disaster public housing is influenced not only by locational advantages, but also by relaxed eligibility requirements and the involvement of fishery intermediary organizations. These findings provide insights into the plans of post-disaster housing in rural coastal communities.

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The use of the deregulation of FAR in urban renewal is being promoted to induce private sector development, and each city govemment has formulated its own system to promote private sector vitality. However, it is unclear whether the deregulation of FAR can be used as an economic incentive in local cities. Therefore, this research categorized regional hub cities and examined the feasibility of deregulation of FAR for each type of city. As a result, it was found that the deregulation of FAR is feasible as an incentive in Sapporo but may not be feasible as an incentive in cities with rent and vacancy rates lower than those of Sapporo.

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In recent years, the concept of “regional experience seekers” has attracted attention in Japan, where the shortage of local development leaders has become a problem, especially in rural areas. However, the situation surrounding these regional experience seekers is likely to have been changed substantially by the COVID-19 epidemic. Here, by using survey data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, we clarified the personas of each of four groups of visiting regional experience seekers that we classified according to their activities since the epidemic, namely “continuation, return, interruption, and emergence.” We found that: 1) types of easily accessible activities, such as telework and activities in neighboring areas, continued in the pandemic; 2) activities based on personal ties with relatives and acquaintances were more likely to continue than those based on business ties; and 3) since the pandemic, activities in distant areas and hobby and consumption-type activities in heavily populated areas have been adopted in large numbers.

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In today's aging society with a declining birthrate, extending healthy life expectancy through the promotion of physical activity is an important issue. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between commuters' stopping behavior when leaving work and going out on holidays in a populated area around Fukuoka City using location data. Comparison by mode of commuting transportation revealed that railroad users stopped by more frequently than other modes of transportation, and that public transportation users had higher levels of physical activity on their days off. In addition, a comparison of the two groups within the same mode of transportation confirmed an association between the presence or absence of stopover behavior and the frequency of holiday outings for rail users and car users. Furthermore, for rail transit users, it was found that stopover behavior in the vicinity of their residence was associated with the amount of physical activity on holidays.

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Previous studies on urban activity center (UAC) detection tended to identify centers based on specific activity types, such as work-related or commercial activities. As a result, the spatial distribution of centers of diverse functions was not fully captured. This study proposes a new methodological framework for identifying urban activity centers by classifying activities into three groups - work, shopping/leisure, and public services. First, activity centers’ detection was improved for each activity type by adjusting hyperparameters of the spatial autoregression model used for the identification of UAC based on their unique spatial characteristics. Second, three types of activity centers were integrated into a single set using two approaches. The results revealed a more accurate representation of the spatial patterns of activity centers and a more balanced reflection of diverse urban functions. Furthermore, the method enables the detection of not only dominant functions but of the functional mix within each center as well, offering practical insights for urban planning.

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The upside-down reflection on calm water, like Sakasa-Fuji, is emblematic of Japan’s deep cultural tradition of appreciating mirrored landscapes. This study, from the perspective of green space management, mathematically analyzes the relationship between vegetation growth and its visual reflection on water surfaces. Focusing on evenly spaced cherry blossom trees planted along riverbanks, this study quantifies the tree canopies captured within the viewer’s field of vision using solid angles, thereby measuring their visual presence in a geometric and perceptual context. The research reveals how lush vegetation growth affects the size of inverted cherry blossom rows reflected on the water, offering insights into landscape aesthetics and perception.

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This study aims to develop models to utilize the health benefits of walking in urban planning. Specifically, assuming a uniform population distribution in a rectangular urban area, we formulated both the optimal location of single or multiple facilities to achieve the ideal walking distance and the problem of determining the length of a shopping street to keep the average mortality rate of local residents at a desirable level. It is significant that the optimal solution depends on the walking distance to be achieved and the frequency of visits to facilities, and that the results have implications for urban planning.

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In Japan, extreme summer heat has intensified in recent years, raising concerns about its effects on both physical and mental health. There is growing concern that people may refrain from going out for shopping under such conditions, potentially affecting food accessibility, which is vital for sustaining daily urban life. This study investigates how hot and humid weather affects consumer behavior by analyzing dated nationwide food purchase history data from Japan. The Discomfort Index was calculated from observed temperature and humidity data and linked to corresponding purchase records. Days in the upper and lower ranges of the Discomfort Index were extracted, and their characteristics were examined by prefecture. The analysis revealed notable differences in purchase frequency between the high-index days and low-index days. Larger behavioral differences between high and low index days were observed in northern regions of Japan, where the Discomfort Index tends to fluctuate more dramatically.

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Photo-taking may have both positive and negative effects on participants' visual memories and episodic memories. This study aims to explore the significance of photo-taking in the context of guided city walking tours, particularly as a means of conveying local characteristics. We conducted an on-site walking experiment in Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and performed statistical analysis on the data collected through questionnaires completed by participants after a simulated guided city walking tour. Research findings revealed that photo-taking did not have a significant effect on visual memory for either photographed or non-photographed streetscapes and was associated with a decline in episodic memory. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that spontaneous photo-taking may have had a positive effect on visual memory.

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There is growing interest in creating walkable cities where pedestrians can live comfortably and safely. While urban planning has gained valuable insights into walkable design through case studies, mathematical modeling to evaluate walkability and infrastructure remains limited. This study analytically derives pedestrian traffic flow in a rectangular city with a grid network, assuming the probability of walking between two points decays exponentially with distance. The proposed model generalizes continuous traffic flow models by incorporating modal choice between walking and driving. To assess pedestrian safety and comfort, we introduce an indicator defined as the product of pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the same direction, representing potential conflict areas. When integrated across the city, this value grows large where both modes account for a substantial share of trips. The results highlight the need for spatial design strategies that reduce pedestrian-vehicle conflicts and support safer, more comfortable walking environments.

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This study targeted facilities that were located under special permission on proviso of Article 48 of the Building Standards Act. It focused on the regional characteristics around small to medium-sized facilities nationwide that are located in Category 1 low-rise exclusive districts and where the impact on traffic is an issue. The study categorized the location characteristics of the urban environment around the facilities at a wide regional level and presented an image of the urban space. In addition, by analyzing the trends in traffic issues pointed out for each type, reference information was provided for the implementation of deregulation of use regulations.

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The road space reallocation is one of the important topics to achieve the high utility for multiple transportation modes. The route choice model based on utility theory provides a criterion to assess the performance of the network, and the traffic assignment methods are helpful to discuss the flow capacity of the network. There are methodologies to obtain the equilibrium state in a congested network, but, in the multimodal network, the asymmetric interaction among transportation modes can result in multiple equilibria and existing estimation and simulation methods are not necessarily applicable. In this study, we propose a day-to-day assignment method invoked from Restricted Boltzmann Machine (RBM), and computational feasibility is indicated.

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To create an x-minute city, where access to essential daily services is possible within a residential area under population decline without the need to rely on automobiles, it is crucial to coordinate such efforts with location optimization plans. However, conventional evaluations of designated residential induction areas (RIAs) have not clarified how residents actually travel from these areas and to which destinations. To address this gap, we analyzed origin–destination patterns by using the 6th Tokyo Person Trip Survey, which provides highly accurate latitude and longitude data. The findings revealed that: (1) the majority of trips are completed within RIAs rather than to urban function induction areas, suggesting that many residents do not visit the latter—where urban services are intended to be concentrated—by walking, cycling, or public transport; and (2) by establishing a population density contrast between residential inducement areas and surrounding areas, it may be possible to suppress automobile use more effectively within RIAs than within non-RIAs.

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This study empirically investigates the boundary-setting practices of Residential Promotion Areas with a focus on zoning districts, as well as their causal impact on land prices in areas adjacent to the boundaries. Targeting 343 municipalities across Japan that had formulated Location Optimization Plans approximately ten years after the system's introduction, the study collected and processed geographic information to construct an original analytical dataset. It then visualized the zoning status of areas adjacent to boundary lines and quantitatively examined the actual conditions of boundary designation. Furthermore, within a causal inference framework, the study employed propensity score matching to analyze land prices, statistically testing the differences and ratios of land prices between areas inside and outside the boundaries.

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This study analyses the institutional legitimacy of players regarding the allocation of local co-existence fund from offshore wind power project, and presents following items as policy norms. [1] “Eligibility of plaintiff” (having legally protected rights and benefits, and being affected by wind turbines located on sea area) and “Unavoidability of losses” (socioeconomic losses are certainly unavoidable) are the requirements for institutional legitimacy. [2] On the sea area, rights and benefits related to fishery fulfill the requirements. On the land area, landscape benefits held by local residents may fulfill the requirements. [3] Taking into account the views of supreme court precedent, it can be interpreted that when landscape benefits have not been publicly formalized, rights and benefits related to fishery (with economic actuality) should be given more consideration than landscape benefits.

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In order to demonstrate their value, professional sports clubs need to play a public role by collaborating with local governments and solving local social issues. Through the analysis of local government plans, the government expects sports clubs to play roles of “medical care, health, and education,” “regional revitalization,” and "local community”. On the other hand, there are some differences between the actual status of Home Town activities of J-League clubs and the description in the plans through the analysis of questionnaire. The interview surveys revealed that professional sports clubs contribute to solving social issues in a wide range of fields including urban development by utilizing their own resources and are actively involved in promoting policies.

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In Japan, declining birth rates have become a critical issue. As the total fertility rate remains far below the population replacement level, the "desired birth rate" was introduced as a new target. However, this nationwide target led municipalities to adopt it uncritically, possibly setting overly ambitious goals. This study calculates the desired birth rate for each municipality and examines factors influencing its variation. Results show that most municipalities set targets exceeding their actual conditions, confirming unrealistic goal-setting. Additionally, higher child welfare expenditures and a greater proportion of individuals working within their municipality are associated with higher desired birth rates. These findings highlight the need for region-specific policies rather than uniform targets to address demographic challenges effectively.

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Recently, the Japanese government has been actively promoting the integration of renewable energy into urban district heating systems to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. However, its adoption remains limited due to supply instability and prohibitively high initial costs. This study explores the optimal utilization of renewable heat by considering districtspecific characteristics such as energy potential and heat demand, aiming to propose more effective implementation strategies. Focusing on solar, geothermal, and wastewater heat, we assess their overall environmental impact and cost. Sapporo’s city center, which offers diverse renewable heat potential and is actively advancing decarbonization efforts, has been selected as the study site.

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The concept of a “kankeijinkō,” referring to individuals residing outside a region who maintain continuous engagement with it, has recently gained attention for its potential to contribute to endogenous regional development. This study conducted a survey of residents in Hida City, Gifu Prefecture, to gain insights into the utilization of related populations. Although general awareness of the concept was limited, many respondents expressed positive attitudes toward its application in regional management. Residents’ perceptions were classified into five types based on differences across sectors of community activity. Each type exhibited distinctive patterns in personal attributes, relationships with non-local individuals, and attitudes toward regional change. Based on these findings, the study considers directions for resident support policies that may be necessary for local governments aiming to promote endogenous development.

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In recent years, mechanisms to encourage companies to contribute to the environment and society have become increasingly important. To this end, third-party certification is effective in enabling companies to share their efforts in a concise manner, and certification schemes such as SEGES and ABINC are already in use in Japan. We investigated the relationship between the acquisition of these two certifications and the integrated reports and non-financial information reports disclosed by companies that have obtained them. The results showed that approximately 36% of certified companies did not publish the reports and that the purpose of certification was not limited to disclosure of information to investors. It was also confirmed that companies do not realize the benefits of certification. In order to expand efforts toward corporate green space development through the use of certification systems, it is necessary to clarify the value of obtaining certification and to foster a climate in which companies can feel that they are responding to social demands through certification and communicate this to society.

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This study examines the current conditions and challenges of lawn management in urban parks, focusing on local governments in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Using a mixed-method approach―questionnaire surveys, seasonal visual field assessments, and semi-structured interviews―the study investigates the gap between target and actual lawn conditions and explores how this gap is shaped by budget constraints, institutional structures, and staff expertise. The findings reveal considerable variation in maintenance practices and underscore the need to align lawn quality goals with practical management capacities. The study provides a basis for improving visual evaluation methods and contributes to more sustainable and context-sensitive approaches to ground cover plants maintenance in public open spaces.

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Green infrastructure (GI) is becoming increasingly essential due to the rise in flood damage attributed to climate change in recent years. The currently evaluation methods for rainwater infiltration used by local governments, one of the functions of GI, do not have much evidence and require further study. We measured the function in green spaces in Nerima Ward, Tokyo, and the following points were clarified from the actual measurement results. The function differed by more than twofold for grassy areas and bare land, farmland depending on the type of use. We proposed an evaluation method that takes tread pressure into account. When comparing our proposed method to the one employed by local governments, we observed discrepancies of up to 12.6 mm/h, stemming from differences in land cover classification approaches. By adopting land cover classification methods that account for tread pressure, more accurate evaluations of the rainwater infiltration capacity of green spaces can be achieved.

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Regulating reservoirs are primarily designed as disaster prevention infrastructure, but they may also serve as with social and cultural value for urban residents. This study examines Kashiwanoha Aqua Terrace in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, comparing it with conventional regulating reservoirs closed to public access, and conceptualizes its multifaceted roles as “socio-cultural functions.” Based on a questionnaire survey, we applied Quantification Theory Type III and cluster analysis to identify three categories of functions reflecting experiential values. Structural Equation Modeling revealed a significant evaluative process: knowledge/use → perceived necessity → emotional attachment → evaluation. Notably, residents’ understanding of the reservoir’s disaster prevention role strongly influenced their emotional and functional evaluation. This study proposes a new conceptual framework for multifunctional urban waterfront design.

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Engagement in diverse activities is considered fundamental to children’s development. However, recent societal changes may have led to shifts in the daily behaviors that facilitate such experiences. We exam-ined trends in extracurricular activities among children from 2006 to 2021 by using the Survey on Time Use and Leisure Activities. By classifying children based on their frequency of activity participation, we identified variations in the population distribution and demographic characteristics associated with each group. The results showed that: 1) the largest group consisted of “inactive” children with low levels of activity, mainly from low-income households, whose proportion increased over time; and 2) the number of children highly engaged in sports and cultural and volunteer activities has been declining, with notable disparities by income and region.

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This study researched the districts operating the Conversion Village system, introduced in the Danish Planning Act to create attractive residential areas in rural zones.The research found that in the case of development type, the regulations limiting the scale of development did not match the district's development vision, and the Conversion Village designation was cancelled.In the case of environmental conservation type, while development was restricted by the framework designation equivalent to the land use zoning, the system was used as a method to realize the development vision for the district by formulating a local plan to achieve the development vision. However, we point out the problem of area designation, as it has become more limited than the original vision.

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There is a change from the traditional “residents' participation” to the “citizen participation”. As society changes, this is an opportunity to take a fresh look at how we have been promoting urban design and management, and to rethink the nature of “planning” and “participation” itself. This study examined the relationship between “planning” and “participation” in Nagakute City over a period of more than 10 years, and clarified how “planning” and “participation” have been made into policies, institutionalized, and structured. The study also clarified how “planning” and “participation” are positioned through reframing the concept of “planning” and “participation”. The study also manifested a future direction.

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The concept of lifestyle migration, defined as “modern migration in which an individual's aspirations for his or her way of life and quality of life have a significant influence on migration decisions.” This study was conducted to understand the adaptation process of lifestyle migrants to the local community and its factors. As a result, it was found that the adaptation factors can be classified into four major categories: [interaction with local residents], [expansion of human relationships], [in-depth interaction], and [sense of connection and self-usefulness with the community]. Maladaptive factors can be divided into five major categories: anxiety before and during the initial stages of migration, physical isolation, unfamiliar environment, mental isolation, and relationships with local residents.

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Many areas with a high concentration of wooden houses are not undergoing land readjustment, and the population is aging. To continue living in this area, shopping for food, clothing, etc. is essential, but the narrow roads make it difficult to use cars and transportation services.

In this study, we evaluated the actual shopping situation and shopping support measures in areas of Nagoya City with densely populated wooden building areas. As a result, they expressed a desire to "utilize vacant land" close to their homes and "revitalize shopping districts." In addition, issues were identified regarding "storage space," "purchase price," and "how to request service via smartphone" for personal mobility vehicles that can passage on narrow roads.

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The nationwide reality of PPP projects integrating public and private facilities is unclear, and analysis focusing on regional cities, where the impact of these projects is significant, is considered important. The purpose of this study is to grasp the nationwide reality, clarify the overview of PPP utilization in these areas based on the project characteristics and the reasons for selecting the method, and discuss the feasibility. The results show there is a nationwide trend toward the consolidation of facility functions, and various methods were selected for small and medium-sized regional cities. In these areas, there were differences among methods, especially in facility functions and project scale, and scale was the main reason for method selection. In addition, we examined the feasibility of each method. For example, the PFI method being selected for multifunctional public projects and large-scale projects, and the DBO method being selected for smaller-scale projects.

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In recent years, creating an inclusive society where no one is excluded has become a key goal. However, safe and supportive environments for people with disabilities remain insufficient. It is therefore essential for people with disabilities and local residents to share daily life and overcome social divides. This study focuses on “Saienji,” a multifunctional welfare centre operated by the social welfare corporation Bussien in Ishikawa Prefecture, to clarify the actual usage, interaction, perceptions, and challenges of “Gochamaze.” Behavioral surveys and interviews revealed that local residents experience daily coexistence with welfare service users, leading to shifts in awareness and promoting social inclusion. However, challenges were also identified, including increased staff workload, inadequate care for users, residents’ concerns about inappropriate behavior, and the sustainability of the centre. The findings highlight the importance of balancing community and welfare projects, establishing diverse care methods tailored to individual needs, and fostering human resources capable of supporting an inclusive environment.

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In recent years, there has been an increasing number of initiatives aimed at collaboratively envisioning the future of an area through multi-stakeholder collaboration and planning through a back casting approach to achieve those visions. However, methods for overcoming differences in perspectives and levels of understanding regarding projects among citizens, local governments, and other stakeholders, while fostering citizens' creative initiatives and grounding visions in the lifestyles they aspire to achieve, remain insufficiently established. In this study, the process of a citizen workshop in the Fukae district of Kobe City using a city planning game "Tsumugu, Vision, Match -imagine the future vision ! " was analyzed, and 1) the actual state of citizens' future images of the city and 2) the potential for ideas linking future images with spatial changes in the district through the combination of future images and walking tours were clarified.

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Urbanization Control Areas (UCA) are, in principle, the areas where urbanization should be restricted. However, residential areas and villages with population density comparable to that of Densely Inhabited District meet the technical standards for Urbanization Promotion Area (UPA) incorporation. This study aims to reveal the current situation and the possibility of UPA incorporation in Densely Inhabited Districts in UCA (UCA-DID). We identified 160 districts as UCA-DID in 74 local cities. Whilst many UCA-DIDs have policies for residential land use in their master plan, few of these refer to policies for UPA incorporation. Our study suggests that the population and infrastructure prospects should be considered in the incorporation of UCA-DIDs within UPA.

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The aim of this study is to understand the situation of Industrial Zones which expanded during the depopulation and examine Area Division System, focus on building restrictions in expanded Urbanization Promotion Areas designated Industrial Zone in local cities under depopulation and the background of the decision.

We confirmed 16 City Planning Areas with Area Division System which expanded Industrial Zones during the depopulation. While the population of the area is decreasing, industrial frames are increasing and Industrial Zones are expanding. In many cases, building restrictions of the industrial zones were not imposed on the construction of houses and large-scale stores. As a result, pastry shops and houses were built. However, some prefectures have guidelines for land use in Urbanization Promotion Areas designated Industrial Zone and requested municipalities to set building restrictions mainly for factories and distribution business facilities.

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The aim of this study is to examine how the District Plans in Urbanization Control Area should be consistent with Urban Facility Location Plan, targeting the new District Plans in Urbanization Control Area that were formulated after Urban Facility Location Plan was formulated.

In the six cities where discrepancies can occur between inducement measures and Urbanization Control Area district plans, it was difficult to incorporate Urbanization Promotion Area, which led to the use of district plans, but it can be seen that the study was not sufficiently conducted based on Urban Facility Location Plan. It can be said that the district plan is being utilized in a manner that is not consistent with Urban Facility Location Plan, which is based on the principle of a Compact City Policy, and that policy coordination is one of the reasons for the occurrence of the problem. Based on the above, it is desirable to develop policies that promote coordination between plans in order to ensure that both plans are consistent in their operation.

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In recent years, community-engaged approaches of welfare facilities have gained attention as part of efforts toward building an inclusive society. However, empirical research on specific practices and their impact on caregivers remains limited. This study investigates Saienji, a welfare facility located in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, focusing on both physical and operational design elements, caregivers’ evaluations, and the formation of relationships among local residents, users, and caregivers. Based on interview and questionnaire surveys, the findings reveal that opening the facility to the community contributes to reducing caregivers’ burdens and improving the quality of care. These insights suggest the potential of community-engaged welfare facilities to contribute to inclusive community-building by building relationships among caregivers and other local actors.

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The purpose of this study is to clarify the characteristics of intrinsic demand for riding the LRT, to develop a method to distinguish it, and to clarify its trends over time. The analysis revealed the following. First, compared to derived demand, intrinsic demand tends to be used less frequently and have shorter stay times. Second, we clarified the changes in intrinsic demand over time. Approximately one year after the start of operations, the percentage of users due to intrinsic demand was 6.0% on weekdays and 22.9% on weekends. Additionally, the number of users driven by intrinsic demand decreased to 43.6% of the level immediately after opening on weekdays and 34.0% of the level immediately after opening on weekends one year after opening.

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In many local cities, local bus routes are expected to serve as the main transportation network. However, it is difficult to maintain bus services over a wide area. Ensuring enough users is essential for sustainable operation. Therefore, this study aims to explore ways to increase the number of users by analyzing the characteristics of bus stops that are frequently used even by people outside utility area, thereby examining possibilities for expanding the utility area. The analytical approach involved identifying whether differences exist among the utility areas of various bus stops and investigating the factors contributing to those differences. The findings suggest that elderly people prioritize facilities around bus stops. Furthermore, factors contributing to larger utility areas include longer total travel time, higher bus frequency, and arrival at transportation facilities (such as stations).

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For the purpose of obtaining suggestions for vitalizing city centers by making use of the potential of bus terminals, this study clarified trends of staying behavior of express bus passengers who get on or off at bus terminals, by employing GPS data to identify stay points. A case study in Fukuoka City showed that express bus passengers of Hakata Bus Terminal tended to stay shorter and more often within a radius of 200-300m, compared to train passengers of Hakata Station. In addition, it was found that people traveling between Fukuoka and Kumamoto by express bus had a greater total staying time per unit area in the center of Kumamoto City compared to those traveling by Shinkansen.

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This study focused on time spent in the city center. We proposed a simple method of determining this using smart card data. We then performed clustering analysis using a Gaussian mixture model to analyze the impact of the outbreak of the COVID-19. The case study was Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture. After the outbreak, long stays decreased and medium-term stays increased on weekdays. It is suggested that the stay pattern is becoming more uniform. In contrast, weekend and holiday, the short-stay and medium-stay groups demonstrated a reversion to their pre-pandemic levels. However, there were indications of a decrease in trips and length of stay for the long-stay group.

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