Introduction

A paradigm shift in Japanese urban planning

Japan's overall population began to decrease as of around 2007, entering a phase of population decline that regional cities in the country had already begun to experience decades earlier. Not only has the population declined, but also population ageing continues apace at the same time. Moreover, as the debt of the government, including local administrations, has continued to increase, the impact on municipal finances has been severe.

Against the background of such a change in the social situation, Japan's urban planning is also experiencing a paradigm shift (see Figure 17). Namely, it has entered a period that allows Japan to envision a ‘contemporary shrinkage model’ of urban planning, replacing the ‘modern expansion model’ that has been followed until now. Specifically, from a land-use planning perspective, rather than orderly urban expansion, what has become a challenge is how to plan a pivot to a so-called ‘smart shrink’ model of land use that will shape a concentrated urban structure. From an urban planning project standpoint, this means that what is becoming important is spatial consolidation at the district level based on adjustments among a variety of business, rather than a silo style of business accumulation, as well as planning that focuses not only on the ‘hard’ aspects of projects, but also on ‘community planning’, which includes both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ dimensions. In terms of decision-making mechanisms, what is called for is a move from government-centred ‘top-down’ decision-making to a ‘bottom-up’ model of decision-making that involves the participation and cooperation of local residents.

These modern and contemporary models of urban planning are not at odds with each other. Rather, there are more than a few elements that suggest a relationship whereby the contemporary model already exists in the foundations of the modern model. However, without adequately resolving the challenges faced by Japan's modern urban planning paradigm – for example, without developing the adequate tools for organising expansionary urban development – there will be a difficulty in a situation where it is necessary to resolve the challenges of contemporary urban planning.

The Great East Japan Earthquake and reconstruction planning

It was in such a context that Eastern Japan was struck by a massive earthquake of magnitude 9.0 on 11 March 2011. The range of the tremor extended over an extremely wide area, approximately 500km to the north and south and 200km to the east and west.