The Making of Urban Japan: Cities and Planning from Edo to the Twenty First Century

by André Sorensen

During the twentieth century, Japan was transformed from a poor, primarily rural country into one of the world's largest industrial powers and most highly urbanised countries. Interestingly, while Japanese governments and planners borrowed carefully from the planning ideas and methods of many other countries, Japanese urban planning, urban governance and cities developed very differently from those of other developed countries. Japan's distinctive patterns of urbanisation are partly a product of the highly developed urban system, urban traditions and material culture of the pre-modern period, which remained influential until well after the Pacific War. A second key influence has been the dominance of central government in urban affairs, and its consistent prioritisation of economic growth over the public welfare or urban quality of life. André Sorensen examines Japan's urban trajectory from the mid-nineteenth century to the present, paying particular attention to the weak development of Japanese civil society, local governments, and land development and planning regulations.

Genres: Urbanism, Urban Planning, History, Japan, Cities, Nonfiction, Urban Design

404 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that on first read of this book, it’s impossible to escape the idea that the quality of urbanism in Japan succeeded despite itself, not because of it. This is not a comparative study but rather a smart and nuanced history of land use administration in Japan on its own terms. The impression is that Japanese urbanism is somehow both more and less idiosyncratic than it appears. Pork barrel spending, citizens’ movements, local/national governmental conflicts, and stimulus through infrastructure projects of dubious value are familiar to Western urbanists. The highly restrictive nature of central government control to *not* enforce land use regulations will be a surprise to Americans accustomed to strong local government building departments and powerful land use boards.

At the same time, the author does not appear to give sufficient credit for the quality of life in urban Japan. Outstanding mass transit is hardly acknowledged. Though he occasionally describes Japanese urbanism as enviable to westerners, its benefits are downplayed. For example, there is a photo of a small apartment building in a dense neighborhood on “land barely large enough to park four cars”. The building houses 16 units, as if parking spaces were a higher and better use. This is held up as a failure of Japanese land use administration. In the US, such a lot would be administratively impossible to develop as one unit, let alone 16. Though the US is more careful with infrastructure service provision, having 16 affordable, modestly sized apartments in an urban area is vastly preferable to just one, or none at all.

[Quobobo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd strongly recommend this book for anyone wondering why Japanese cities are the way they are. Sorensen provides tons of interesting information about Japanese land use regulations and does so in an accessible, engaging way. There are a number of very helpful maps and data tables included in the book - my favourite was a table showing how in 1975, over 90% of the zoned area in Japan allowed multifamily housing.

I would note that I disagree* with many of the author's opinions, but this is still a fantastic read. The book is about 90% objective reporting and 10% opinion so it’s easy to tolerate.

*In a nutshell: Sorensen is very quick to assume that Japan should move land use regulation to a more local level of government. It's a weird conclusion to draw given that the book describes exactly how Japan's federal regulation has led to excellent transit and walkability.

[Haak · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an urban planner that wanted to learn about the history and development of Japanese urban planning, this book was absolutely perfect. Wonderful book.

[Russell Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely well researched and detailed source on urbananization in Japan. Sorensen's focus is primarily planning in that context. His analysis accompanying the quality research is enlightening for both academics and others with simply an interest in Japan or urbanization generally. Details of major urban catastrophes (e.g., Tokyo's 1923 earthquake, WWII bombings) are fewer than might be expected and therefore leave readers wanting a deeper understanding of such events having to look elsewhere. The March 2011 Fukushima radiation threat to the capital not covered given the book's 2002 release. Overall, an excellent resource for students of urban planning history, a somewhat difficult (given at times uninspired prose) but informative read for general readers.

[Nasir Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, essential reading for anyone interested in Japanese Urbanism, Zoning or has marvelled at the cityscape that is Tokyo and the rest of Japan. It takes you through the unique historical periods in deep yet easy to peruse detail. The images and visualisations are great. It takes a heavy Tokyo focus (as does Japanese planning & planners to be fair), but it takes it time to explore the periphery and even colonial Japanese urbanism. While it is a little old and misses the current era of compact cities/degrowth it takes you across the past century of Japanese cities in an enjoyable and informative ride.

[Andrew Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive description of Japanese urbanism from the 17th Century until the turn of the 21st Century. As an academic textbook, it relies on jargon and acronyms a fair bit particularly in the later half, but on the whole is very accessible.

As someone interested in transport, particularly railways, I would have liked more analysis of Japan's public transport systems. The book goes into some detail about suburban railways and their role in urban development, but other than that doesn't discuss transport much other than to note its positive impact on Japanese cities. I cannot fault the author for that however, since such analysis is beyond the scope of this book.

This is essential reading for anyone interested in Japanese cities and how they came to be.

[Andrew Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way too specific for me, not enough colour and context.