A Study on the Spatial Characteristics of Facades of Houses and Alley in the Shino Isle and their Transition

Abstract

This paper aims to clarify the spatial characteristics of a fishing village in the Shino isle, and toinvestigate how they were formed and have changed. We also discuss the factors which maintain the spatial identity of the village in the Shino isle in spite of the overwhelming tides to homogenize local characters everywhere. The spatial characters of the village appear in two phases in the Shino isle; the unique facades of houses and the formation of ‘SEKO’ (extremely narrow and winding alleys). As for the facades of houses, ‘KAKOI’ (wrapping), ‘DEMADO’ (bay window), and colorful wall paintings are identified as elements which make their facades so special. © 2003, The City Planning Institute of Japan. All rights reserved.