REALITY OF “SPONGY URBAN AREA” IN LOCAL CITY: BASED ON SITUATION OF DEVELOPMENT AND LOSS, VACANT HOUSE

Abstract

This study clarified actual conditions of “Spongy urban area” in local city. In this study, “Spongy urban area” is defined as many vacant lots and houses are caused sponge-like state in urban area. Main results are as follows. 1) The suburbanization of urban area is progressing, while declining population. 2) The city center and outer of suburbs in local city tend to became spongy urban area. 3) It is highly possible that sprawl areas become spongy urban area with leaving many vacant houses. The number of households in sprawl areas are relatively declining. 4) The lands in land readjustment project areas are repeatedly used for newly housing development.