A comparative study on the cityscape management systems of the 23 wards in Tokyo, Japan

Abstract

Cityscape identity is developed based on a certain circumstance which determines what it represents to people. Local cities in Japan have recognized the importance of cityscape identity management as a means of creating their own identities, and the 23 wards of Tōkyō have also established various cityscape management systems pertinent to their circumstances. To find out how cityscape management systems of the 23 wards have been developed and what best practices have been employed was the objective of this study; the 23 wards were first divided into 2 groups according to the main management method, one using direct management systems, and the other using indirect systems, with the latter group reclassified into 4 sub-groups. The implementation status of each group differed according to the cityscape characteristics, the speed of change, or the degree of citizens' interest. In most cases, the wards that have faced more changes have implemented the exclusive management systems with more concrete guidelines, while the wards that have undergone little change have managed through intangible systems with more flexible guidelines. Therefore, it is desired that a local city establishes and applies the most appropriate cityscape management system based on its own circumstance.