Shiga Prefecture boasts a unique landscape shaped by Lake Biwa at its center and the surrounding mountains. In recent years, the shift toward compact cities and pedestrian-oriented urban planning has increased the importance of station-front spaces. Therefore, this study utilized photographs taken from in front of JR stations within Shiga Prefecture to calculate the area, distance, and elevation of Lake Biwa and the surrounding mountains, with the aim of clarifying the characteristics of the grand landscape created by the Omi Basin. The analysis revealed that Lake Biwa was visible from eight stations, and the mountains on the opposite shore were observed from many stations. Mountains on the station side were visible from nearly all stations. Furthermore, while a certain correlation was observed between urban planning types and landscapes, diverse landscapes were sometimes observed even within the same planning type, suggesting that factors such as the timing of development and street layout also influence landscape formation.

This study examines six shopping districts in central Hikone over approximately 50 years, focusing on changes in land use, business composition, and the perspectives of shop owners. By analyzing historical residential maps and conducting interviews, it identifies a shift from traditional retail to service-oriented businesses, alongside a rise in vacant stores and underutilized land. The results reveal that each district has distinct characteristics shaped by factors such as location, redevelopment projects, and visitor flow patterns. Furthermore, the study highlights that effective revitalization requires not only physical improvements but also support for individual shop owners, enhanced pedestrian circulation, and strategic approaches tailored to the specific conditions and identities of each shopping district.

This study examines challenges in the spatial operationalization of climate change adaptation plans. A structured workshop was conducted with municipal environmental policy officers, and the discussions were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results revealed institutional and practical barriers to implementation. The findings suggest that cross-departmental institutional coordination and the development of spatial planning tools are essential for systematically integrating adaptation measures into urban planning frameworks.

Urban forestry (UF), which manages urban trees and green spaces as part of an integrated ecosystem with surrounding forests, has been widely implemented in response to diverse urban policy challenges. However, no Japanese cities have yet adopted UF as a core urban planning strategy, making its implementation increasingly urgent. This study evaluates Kobe City’s “Kobe: The Future Forest City” initiative from a UF perspective, based on a literature review and interviews. The results show that while two investigated projects reflect UF perspectives especially in multi-sector participations, they do not function as an integrated framework among diverse sectors and regions. Therefore, Kobe should adopt UF as a guiding concept to promote cross-sectoral coordination and gradual functional integration.

This study aimed to clarify the risk of flood inundation of cultural facilities and to obtain insights that contribute to enhancing flood resilience, focusing on 1,978 art museums, museums, and libraries located in the Kanto region of Japan. By overlaying facility location data with flood inundation area data using GIS, the presence and depth of inundation were analyzed. The results showed that under the maximum-scale flood scenario (L2), there is a risk that 18.4% of art museums, 25.5% of museums, and 32.6% of libraries will be flooded, and a certain number of facilities are at risk of being flooded by more than three meters or more. Based on these findings, this study organized directions for flood mitigation measures that comprehensively address facilities (location), equipment, collections, and support systems. Minimizing flood damage to cultural facilities and enabling their early reopening is expected to enhance the reliability of tourist destinations in terms of safety and continuity, thereby contributing to post-disaster tourism recovery and the maintenance and enhancement of regional branding.

Graffiti in urban areas is unauthorized writing in highly public spaces, not only degrading the quality of the landscape but also creating concerns about the safety and security of the surrounding area. Shibuya Ward in Tokyo has an environment where graffiti is likely to occur continuously. On the other hand, it is undertaking pioneering initiatives nationwide, such as establishing a system for removing graffiti. Furthermore, measures involving local residents are spreading. This study aims to clarify the actual state of graffiti countermeasures being implemented in Shibuya Ward, identify the challenges of the "Graffiti Countermeasure Project," and clarify the current state and challenges of graffiti countermeasures. The research method will involve (1) hearing with the relevant departments and contractors in Shibuya Ward, and (2) investigations into recurrence in areas where graffiti has already been removed.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the environmental consciousness and pro-environmental behaviors of flea market participants and to clarify the role of flea markets in supporting such behaviors. A questionnaire survey of flea market participants (n=78) was compared with a nationwide survey (n=686). The results indicate that participants’ environmental consciousness is comparable to the national average. However, except for reuse-related behaviors, overall engagement in pro-environmental behaviors is relatively low, with considerable variation among individuals. These findings suggest that flea markets do not require high environmental consciousness but provide accessible opportunities to engage in specific practices such as reuse. Thus, flea markets function as open spaces where diverse participants can become involved in pro-environmental behavior through familiar and practical reuse activities.

This paper reviews international and Japanese studies on multi-local living to clarify their research trends and gaps. Using a common analytical framework encompassing data and measurement, spatial impacts, conceptualization, home-making, and driving forces, it identifies several key differences between the two bodies of literature. International research tends to emphasize theoretical development, introducing concepts such as spatiotemporal population and mobility-based living, while examining broader structural transformations and social inequalities. In contrast, Japanese studies primarily focus on empirical case analyses and policy-oriented discussions, particularly in relation to regional revitalization and disaster resilience. Although these studies provide rich insights into local practices, conceptual and integrative approaches remain limited. The review highlights the complementary nature of these research strands and argues for the integration of theoretical frameworks with empirical and policy-oriented perspectives to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of residential mobility.

This study examines the operation and challenges of Alternative Dispute Resolution, (ADR) in the United States, focusing on Connecticut's successful implementation. The 2008 financial crisis led to increased foreclosures, prompting states to adopt ADR programs. Connecticut's program is notable for its high success rate in avoiding foreclosures. The study analyzes the program's details, its effectiveness, and the characteristics of unresolved cases that proceeded to litigation. Results show that 90% of participants reached a resolution, with 73% retaining their homes and 17% amicably vacating. Insights from Connecticut's experience highlight the importance of mediation programs and suggest improvements for future implementations.

This paper examines the characteristics of resident households in suburban housing estates by development period, using Hiroshima City as a case study, and discusses challenges under conditions of population decline. The analysis reveals that housing estates developed in the 1960s and 1970s have a high proportion of elderly residents and face an increasing risk of housing vacancies, while estates developed since the 1990s maintain a clearer presence of both parent and child generations. These differences reflect life-course transitions from nuclear family households to elderly couple and single-person households over time, suggesting that older suburban housing estates are particularly vulnerable to vacancy-related problems.

Japan is transitioning from a "flow-oriented" society, characterized by scrap-and-build practices, to a "stock-oriented" society that repurposes existing architectural assets. Consequently, the qualitative value of buildings—qualities and attributes that cannot be numerically measured—is becoming increasingly significant; however, standardized evaluation methods remain unestablished. This study utilizes a hedonic approach to evaluate these qualitative values based on quantitative indicators like real estate prices, identifying market-sought attributes. By integrating qualitative elements from architectural critiques into the analysis, the research provides rational insights for decision-making in a mature society, specifically regarding which aspects of existing buildings should be preserved, utilized, or renovated.

Public spaces in Japanese urban policy have traditionally been understood as places for promoting community interaction. However, there is likely a certain level of demand for places without assuming being with others, as reflected in the popularity of terms such as “solo activities”. This study conducted behavioral observations of solo　users in KOBE EAST PARK and revealed that the spatial distribution and behavior of “Solo Use”. The results showed that solo users tended to stay longer and behave in a wider variety of activities when using furniture that allowed for social distancing and staying in shaded areas.

Urban parks must reconsider the conventional model of multifunctional parks as reorganization of public facility stock of Japan. In particular, small-scale parks with multiple functions often suffer from uneven use and functional decline. This study analyzes the optimal location planning of city block parks which assigns a single primary function to each. The results indicate that differences in the assumed catchment distances and in demand structures significantly affect the stability of allocation of function and spatial configuration. Furthermore, transition from multifunctional parks to single-function parks may reduce the number of functional-specific parks, potentially diminishing accessibility to certain park functions.

This study evaluates the effects of reconstruction urban planning in Mabi Town following the Heavy Rain Event of July 2018. Focusing on the post-recovery phase, it utilizes four indicators: flood control, facility reconstruction, residential reality, and evacuation environment. The results show that while river improvements reduced physical risks, private housing decreased due to risk avoidance. Conversely, public housing supports residence and acts as vertical evacuation sites, significantly reducing evacuation time. The study concludes that a "multi-layered defense system" is established, yet proposes "segregated evacuation" to resolve remaining capacity shortages.

This study develops a multi-objective optimization model for Iruma City, aimed at minimizing maximum travel distance for shelter evacuees and total travel distance for home evacuees simultaneously. The analysis revealed a distinct trade-off between these two objectives. The results indicated that optimal facility locations shift depending on the relative priority of each objective and regional factors such as population density. Notably, certain shelters were consistently critical. These findings suggest the necessity of considering the characteristics of facility location in evacuation plans, accounting for the diverging attributes of both shelter evacuees and home evacuees.

Curbing vacant floor space in commercial facilities is critical for revitalizing central business districts of local cities in Japan. This study identifies factors driving excess floor space in large-scale retail stores through stepwise logistic regression analysis using urban and locational characteristics as the explanatory variables. The findings showed that high commercial concentration suppresses excess floor space, whereas advanced aging increases its likelihood. Furthermore, the utilization of excess floor space for public-sector facilities is explained by common nationwide urban structural factors rather than by city-specific characteristics. These results offer strategic insights for revitalizing central districts.

This study examines factors influencing store closures in suburban areas from 1974 to 2024 using logistic regression with variables related to roads, living environment, and store characteristics. Although closure determinants changed over time, competition among stores and use districts consistently played significant roles. The scale of competitive influence narrowed from broad-area competition to localized competition after the 2000s. Stores along major roads in commercial use districts showed lower closure probability, while those in non-roadside use districts faced higher risk. While the impact of road accessibility weakened, chain stores became more resilient, indicating widening disparities in store sustainability.

This study examines eye-level space formation in the Ginza district of Tokyo through an analysis of the Ginza Design Rules and pedestrians’ perceptions of local identity. Streets were classified based on spatial characteristics, and questionnaire surveys were conducted to evaluate pedestrians’ impressions. The results show that factors such as luxury, unity, greenery, and ground-floor visibility strongly influence the recognition of local identity. The study also reveals that local identity is shaped by both design guidelines and unique spatial characteristics not explicitly defined in the rules.

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the usage of former military land and buildings by national universities in southern Kyushu region.Kumamoto Medical College, Oita Normal School, Miyazaki Normal School, the Seventh Higher School, Kagoshima Normal School, and Kagoshima Prefectural Technical College, which were damaged by air raids, used former military hospitals and barracks as substitute facilities for their affiliated hospitals and school buildings. In contrast, no cases were identified in which schools that had not suffered air raid damage used former military facilities.The use of former military facilities was temporary; in some cases, institutions returned to their original campuses before the transition to the new university system, while in others, they relocated their campuses after the transition to consolidate their campuses.At present, only the Oji Campus of Oita University continues to occupy former military land, which is used as the site for its affiliated kindergarten, elementary school, and junior high school.

Engaging with the local community during childhood is believed to contribute to the formation of social capital and the enhancement of civic pride, leading to improved regional sustainability. In the Furukawabashi area of Kadoma City, an initiative called the "Children’s Area Management Project" is underway, where children explore local challenges and devise and implement their solutions. Within this framework, a local developer took the lead—in cooperation with the integrated study hours at Hayami Elementary School—to hold a presentation event for the children's community development projects. Following a screening process, the necessary funds were provided to execute the projects. Moving forward, the children are scheduled to use these funds to carry out their projects

In recent years, the frequency and intensity of heavy snowfall associated with climate change have increased, causing disruptions to transportation systems and significant societal impacts. This study investigates changes in traffic problems and countermeasures during heavy snowfall, and examines the current state of student commuting management at National Institute of Technology (KOSEN) colleges. The results indicate that recent heavy snowfall events have caused large-scale vehicle stranding involving thousands of vehicles and prolonged traffic disruption. Road management has shifted from a conventional approach focused on maintaining traffic flow to a proactive strategy prioritizing human safety and the prevention of large-scale vehicle stranding. School closure criteria at KOSEN were classified into three categories: weather warnings, public transportation conditions, and case-by-case decision-making, with weather-based criteria being the most prevalent.

This report summarizes a questionnaire survey of public-housing residents in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, covering Tokyo Metropolitan housing (n=219), Shinjuku Municipal housing (n=81) and Safety-Net registered housing (n=26). Cross-tabulation by household attributes shows that, although both housing types accommodate elderly and low-income residents, metropolitan housing has a significantly higher share of single-person households (chi-square test, p<0.001) and a higher incidence of extreme cost burden. An inverse age gradient of welfare receipt was found among metropolitan residents. Across every room of the dwelling, narrowness was the most frequent complaint, and recurring height mismatches of fixtures revealed a systematic gap between the ageing housing stock and residents’ bodies. Multiple regression indicates that overall satisfaction is governed not only by floor area but also by communal facilities such as the refuse station. Low rent did not equate to economic security, and a passive status-quo group unable to relocate was identified.

This study examines parental involvement in outdoor experiential activities in regional Japanese cities, where the joint participation of parents and children is important for fostering environmental awareness and community attachment. The participating parents and their interactions with their children were investigated through participant observation, surveys, and statistical analysis. The following findings were obtained: (1) many parents refrained from intervening when their children showed interest or curiosity but intervened or provided verbal guidance in situations involving failure or potential risk; (2) parents with autonomous and exploratory nature-based experiences communicated more frequently with their children; and (3) parents with strong child-centered and autonomy-supportive attitudes intervened less frequently.

Natural trails in the suburban areas of core regional cities are becoming increasingly important in the context of population aging and the One Health approach. This study examined the Kyushu Nature Trail in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, through field surveys, interviews, and statistical analyses to examine its management system. Maintenance was conducted by local community organizations commissioned by Nagasaki City under contract with the prefecture. The key challenges included securing contractors, low-priority trail management in administrative resource allocation, limited opportunities for coordination with Nagasaki Prefecture, and difficulties in contacting landowners. Poorly maintained signage was more likely to occur in areas with higher elevation, steeper slopes, and lower population density, whereas degraded trail surfaces were more likely to occur in similarly remote areas and farther from densely inhabited districts.

This study examined the effects of structural (individual parking lot lines) and psychological (awareness-raising posters) interventions on bicycle parking behavior, including the contagiousness of proper and improper parking, through field experiments and a questionnaire survey at a Japanese university campus. Paired t-test results revealed that the structural and combined interventions significantly reduced improper parking, while the psychological intervention showed only moderate statistical significance. Real-time observations confirmed a “broken windows theory” dynamic, parking disorder triggering a negative chain reaction, as well as a reverse cascade in which correcting improper parking produced a sustained orderly state. The questionnaire survey further revealed that interventions, particularly the structural one, were effective among habitual improper parkers. Recommendations are offered for achieving a sustainable and comfortable campus environment through mutual cooperation in orderly bicycle parking practices.

In recent years, the utilization of spaces beneath elevated railways created through continuous grade separation projects has been increasing in Japan, while the fragmentation of surrounding urban areas remains a challenge. This study focuses on the areas between Akihabara–Okachimachi Stations, Tokyo–Kanda Stations, and Shinbashi–Yurakucho Stations, and analyzes the characteristics of elevated railway spaces and their surrounding districts to examine methods for “opening elevated railway spaces to the city.” The results reveal that visualizing activities inside buildings, utilizing outdoor spaces, and strengthening connections with surrounding facilities and local communities are important factors in improving walkability and enhancing area value.

Waterfront areas, such as rivers and canals, play a crucial role in enhancing the appeal of the spaces beneath elevated structures．Therefore, this paper aims to examine the relationship between building uses and the waterfront by conducting on-site surveys of eight case studies involving the utilization of spaces beneath elevated structures adjacent to urban waterfronts．As a result, we identified the relationships between the following building uses and the outdoor spaces, facades, and openings facing the waterfront: (1) Food and beverage, (2) Retail, (3) Exhibition and assembly, (4) Sports facilities, (5) Accommodation and event venues．

This study explores the generation of landscape images for commercial zoning districts using generative AI and analyzes the visual characteristics associated with zoning recognition in Japan. Focusing on commercial and neighborhood commercial districts, two approaches were compared: synthesized Google Street View images and text-to-image generation using ChatGPT. Generated images were evaluated through zoning classification tasks conducted by ChatGPT. The results showed that text-generated images achieved higher classification accuracy because they emphasized typical zoning features, while synthesized images reflected the diversity and mixed-use nature of actual urban environments, making classification more ambiguous. Building height, road width, and urban scale were found to strongly influence zoning recognition. The study suggests that generative AI can support public understanding of zoning systems through visualization of representative urban characteristics.

This study examines the potential for expanding pedestrian spaces on central urban streets by utilizing existing roadside properties in Kanazawa, a city that escaped war damage and where continuous sidewalk widening is structurally difficult. Focusing on roadside properties—including small-scale spaces and those with steps or level differences—we evaluated width adequacy against the criteria required for pedestrian transit and lingering. The analysis demonstrated that these discontinuous spaces can improve width adequacy. These findings suggest that the widespread utilization of scattered, discontinuous roadside properties, even those with small-scale spaces or steps, has the potential to complement building setbacks, which are typically a long-term initiative.

This study analyzes the factors enabling the continued operation of the Hamachan Bus in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, without relying on government deficit subsidies. The analysis focused on resident surveys, usage data, and interviews. The results indicate that the bus system is sustained through the interaction of four key factors: (1) clear and stable local demand, primarily from elderly residents in a hilly residential area; (2) proactive administrative involvement and iterative operational adjustments; (3) user acceptance of fares and operations, accompanied by a “use-to-support” awareness; and (4) the role of the bus as a venue for community interaction. These factors collectively support stable ridership and contribute to a self-sustaining operation.

This study examined the potential for “casual social participation” through radio calisthenics in the UR Mukogawa Housing Complex, where community ties are weakening. The results of this practical study showed that while face-to-face exercises faced barriers to participation, a non-face-to-face exercise program—in which residents performed exercises at home and posted stickers on a bulletin board—attracted a total of 1,141 participants. This revealed that making the presence of others visible fosters a sense of security and connection among residents, demonstrating that “loose social participation,” which maintains a moderate sense of distance, is effective in housing complex communities where isolation is on the rise.

This study develops and examines a workshop method for post-disaster townscape reconstruction using Augmented Reality (AR) in the Ukawa District of Noto Town, which was severely damaged by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Based on aerial photographs, field surveys, and historical records, 119 building models were reconstructed and integrated into a 3D-GIS platform. Through AR-supported walking workshops, residents viewed the pre-disaster townscape while sharing memories and local histories associated with specific places. The results demonstrate that AR functions as a catalyst for recalling and communicating collective memories, suggesting its potential as a participatory tool for recovery planning and community reconstruction.

This study conducted interviews at 753village, located in the rural-urban fringe, to clarify how landowners and local actors collaboratively utilize regional assets. Landowners opened existing homes as rental spaces and created environments that encouraged experimentation, thereby supporting the relocation and engagement of local actors. They also preserved vacant houses, garages, and gardens as spaces for community activities. In response, local actors utilized natural resources and existing building stock while promoting the appeal of the wider area through a network of activity bases. These findings suggest that opening privately owned spaces can enhance local value through the effective use of regional assets.

As population decline and aging progress in Japan, the Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Historic Buildings are increasingly affected by shortages of key players and a growing number of vacant houses. Therefore, promoting residential occupancy is essential for maintaining these districts as living environments. This study analyzed vacant house utilization leading to promoting residential living, as well as characteristics of institutional support provided by local governments, focusing on Omori Ginzan (Oda City, Shimane Pref.) and Yame Fukushima (Yame City, Fukuoka Pref.). The study revealed that promoting residential living in these districts requires community-led mechanisms for vacant house renovation and utilization, supported by government assistance to address financial, technical, and ownership challenges, while simultaneously sustaining community functions and attracting new residents.

In Brussels, the Regional Mobility Plan for the 2020–2030 planning period (French: Plan régional de Mobilité; Dutch: Gewestelijk mobiliteitsplan) introduced a transport strategy known as “Good Move,” which is structured around six strategic pillars aimed at improving road safety and quality of life. Under this plan, a citywide speed limit of 30 km/h was implemented on most roads, while the central Pentagon district extensively adopted woonerven (Woonerf / Zone de Rencontre) to create a more pedestrian-friendly urban environment.The plan also developed separate transport network maps for different modes of travel, including pedestrians and cyclists, and required employers to conduct surveys on employees’ commuting patterns. In this way, the transformation of mobility has been pursued as a citywide effort involving all citizens.Although the plan faced substantial opposition in some areas, Brussels has implemented traffic regulations through careful dialogue with residents and has encouraged citizen participation through initiatives such as the “Living Lab,” a series of experimental summer projects. By combining regulatory measures with citizen-led activities, the city has achieved a multifaceted approach to mobility planning and street improvement.

Paris is advancing the implementation of "School Streets" (Rues aux écoles), which pedestrianize streets around kindergartens and elementary schools. Focusing on this initiative as a shift from a car-centric to a human-centric city, this paper aims to draw implications for school route planning in Japan through field surveys and interviews. On-site observations identified various street designs and regulations adapted to local physical constraints. Furthermore, interviews with city officials revealed a phased approach to consensus-building and interdisciplinary collaboration. Ultimately, Paris's School Streets transcend a basic traffic safety framework; they fundamentally restructure urban space for children, serving as a vital precedent for human-centric urban transformation.

This study aimed to identify factors stimulating the desire to walk, based on the hypothesis that promoting walking in the downtowns of the regional city requires environments that are not only “easy to walk ” but also “encouragement to walk.” I established 11 environmental indicators that evoke the motivation to walk and surveyed residents and tourists in Izunokuni City. Results showed that “pedestrian circulation” and “landscape design” strongly stimulated the desire to walk. On the other hands, since these items received low ratings in terms of the current impression of the cities, the study also revealed that environmental improvements in these areas should be prioritized in the future.

This study aims to clarify the characteristics of future vision formulation and project implementation in Area-Based platform. Through analysis of future visions and questionnaire surveys, it revealed that differences in the timing of Area-Based platform establishment and vision formulation lead to variations in stakeholder roles and organizational structures. As a result, it was confirmed that stakeholder roles change during the transition from the planning stage to the implementation stage. In the planning stage, administrative bodies played a coordinating role, while in the implementation stage, local organizations, private entities, and specialized support organizations took on practical and technical roles.