Influences of Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge on Awaji Islanders' Leisure-Time Activities: A Case Study of Tsuna Town

Abstract

This paper analyzed the way Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge had an influence on Awaji islanders' leisure-time activities. The results show that the influences of the Bridge on leisure-time activities were not generally large in the activity level, regarding the changes before and after the opening. Nevertheless, the leisure-time activity zones of the residents expanded outward mainly to Kobe and the Hanshin district. This both widened the gap in leisure-time activity levels among the residents and enhanced their levels of leisure-time satisfaction. However, even though the activity zones enlarged to the main island, the local distribution of the activities in the island was relatively steady. © 2003, The City Planning Institute of Japan. All rights reserved.