Regional characteristics of green spaces in the central area of Tokyo: a case study of the Musashino Uplands from Nippori to Shinagawa

Abstract

In Japan, decreasing green space due to the expansion of urban land use is a major social problem. Especially since the rapid economic growth period (1960-1973), the intensification of urban land use has progressed and the urban environment has increasingly deteriorated. In the central areas many people demand more green spaces, but it is difficult to increase green spaces because of the high price of land. Nevertheless, we need more green spaces for not only improving the urban environment but also as refuges and fireproof areas in case of urban disasters such as earthquakes and fires. Research on urban green spaces has been carried out in various academic fields. There have been numerous studies on the distribution and maintenance of green spaces in relation to urbanization in geography. However, few studies have deal with the preservation of the natural landscape. The purpose of this study is to examine geomorphic, hydrological, and botanical elements of the landscape in the central area of Tokyo, and to consider the regional characteristics of green spaces in relation to these elements and historical background. The study area is a 2 km wide zone along the eastern edge of the Musashino Uplands from Nippori to Shinagawa. An intensive field survey conducted in 1997 showed that natural steep slopes and natural trees still remain on the eastern edge of the Musashino Uplands. On the contrary, there are many artificially constructed landscapes on the adjacent lowlands. The natural index, showing the degree to which nature remains, is higher on the uplands and lower on the lowlands. Green spaces on the uplands are dominated by Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, most of which were built in the Edo feudal period. In those green spaces, natural landscapes with a higher natural index and artificial ones are mixed. Most of the green spaces on the lowlands are parks established after the Kanto Earthquake or World War II. These were created by changing urban land use or the reclamation of waterways. In these green spaces, artificial landscapes dominate. These results show that regional characteristics of the green space landscape are determined by both natural and artificial elements in the central area of Tokyo.