Emiko Itami

Suburban poverty has been widely examined in growing metropolitan regions, where it is often linked to displacement, immigration, and rental market restructuring. Yet far less attention has been paid to how suburban poverty unfolds in shrinking urban contexts and how policy frameworks respond to such transformations. This study investigates the emergence and spatial differentiation of suburban poverty risk in postwar planned new towns within the Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe conurbation, a major Japanese urban region experiencing prolonged demographic decline.,Using 500 m mesh-level spatial statistics on household income and savings, combined with hierarchical cluster analysis and cohort-based population analysis, we identify areas of relative poverty risk and examine generational turnover, housing tenure, and spatial characteristics. The findings indicate that poverty risk in shrinking suburban environments does not primarily stem from the in-migration of disadvantaged households. Rather, at-risk new towns also tend to exhibit limited generational inflow and constrained cohort replacement, contributing to gradual asset depletion within owner-oriented suburban landscapes.,Unlike displacement-driven suburban poverty observed in Western contexts, this pattern reflects an internally evolving process associated with demographic aging and weakened intergenerational renewal. At the policy level, the analysis highlights a structural divide between welfare policy and urban planning, as regeneration strategies seldom incorporate socio-economic vulnerability into spatial policy frameworks. The findings underscore the need for more integrated approaches that align welfare systems with landscape and urban regeneration strategies in shrinking conurbations.

Urban perforation is a key spatial expression of urban shrinkage, as identifying perforation can quietly erode urban vitality and public service efficiency. This study examines the Densely Inhabited Districts (DID) of Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe Conurbation in Japan using 500m grid household data from 2005–2020 to construct a process-oriented, multi-period spatiotemporal framework. The observation intervals were T1 (2005–2010), T2 (2010–2015), and T3 (2015–2020), with overlapping windows G1 (2005–2015) and G2 (2010–2020). Local Moran's I identified five LL clusters of significant household decline: Continuous, Expansion, Succession, Emerging, Dissipate, and Other. The perforation dynamics were non-linear, with brief easing at T2, followed by a sharp rebound at T3. System conditions shifted from a relatively balanced Dissipate and Emerging mix in G1 to Emerging dominance in G2, signaling weakening regional resilience. Residential forms differ sharply; as city center pressure accumulated, the LL share rose from 3.36% to 6.95%. Newtown and Sprawl Suburb mirrored the moderate-then-surge path, driving the recent acceleration. Existing Residential Areas remained stable, and their LL share remained near 2% after T1. Dynamic modes clarify further these phenomena: Dissipate shares were high in G1, suggesting a reabsorption, and Emerging was concentrated in Newtown and the Sprawl Suburb in G2, whereas Continuous and Expansion are more prevalent in the city center. These episodic fluctuations may contribute to cumulative structural pressure. The findings from this spatiotemporal approach highlight the framework’s potential in identifying phases, enabling adaptive monitoring, and promoting intelligent contraction-oriented planning to increase cities’ resilience against shrinkage.

A unified original townscape may affect the identity and value of the area. However, it is not easy to maintain the original design as time passes. This study aims to clarify the actual remaining state of exterior form within suburban detached residential areas and explore the influencing factors. For data collection, visual observation of the site and a literature survey on the housing map was conducted. For analysis, we conducted the cross-tabulation, chi-square test, and association analysis. The following results are obtained: 1) In about 80% of the lots, both planting belts and hedges are maintained after 23-37 years of development. The hedge is more likely to disappear than the planting belts, 2) Rebuilding, household alternation, and multiple flat parking spaces are three significant factors influencing the disappearance of planting belts and hedges. The impact of rebuilding is the predominant factor in the disappearance of both. Furthermore, the impact of rebuilding is strengthened when combined with household alternation or multiple flat parking spaces, and 3) The relationship between the remaining exterior features and duration after development by the areas and joining communal building agreements was not confirmed.

Despite the growing popularity of Chinese gardens, few studies have explored Chinese garden tourism and the relationship between garden space and visitor behavior. Addressing this gap, this study examines the correlations between spatial attributes and visitor stay distribution in the Ningbo Tianyige Museum gardens. This study divided the garden space into twenty units across four types—water, architecture, veranda, and rockery—and identified spatial attributes using measurements and configurational calculations. Visitor stay data was comprised of 1061 cases with a stay interval of more than 30 s in three investigation periods. Results produced three primary findings. First, architecture and water spaces had the highest visitor stay density, followed by veranda space and then rockery space. Second, there is a correlation between visitor stay density and six spatial attributes: integration, choice, width, length, enclosure ratio, and seating. Third, although each type has distinctive attributes, they can be divided into two groups: (1) spacious and highly accessible open spaces (water and architecture types); (2) long narrow spaces with low accessibility and abundant seating facilities (veranda and rockery types). By exploring the relationship between Chinese gardens and modern tourism, this study provides valuable insights and suggestions for the planning and management of Chinese garden tourism.