Maturity and Regeneration of Residential Areas in Metropolitan Regions - Trends, Interpretations and Strategies in Japan and Germany
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Item Old “New Towns” in Kobe and Future Perspectives of Inhabitants in Shrinking Detached Housing Areas – Case of Takakuradai in Kobe City(2017-07-05) Koura, Hisako; Beilein, Andreas; Kadono, Yukihiro; Polívka, Jan; Reicher, ChristaA large amount of housing units was constructed in the suburban areas of Japan in the 1950s and 1960s in order to meet the needs of the rapid population growth, which often resulted in uncontrolled urban expansion. Census data from the year 2000 indicated that the ratio of the aged population in some of Kobe’s suburban housing areas developed during this early stage of suburbanization was higher than the city average. A discussion on older “New Towns” has been initiated with a number of studies in order to understand the present situation and possible futures of these areas. This study focuses on the case of Kobe Suma New Town's area called Takakuradai.Item Age-Friendly Development of a District from the 1950s – the Südstadt in Hattingen(2017-06-28) Mecklenbrauck, Ilka; Beilein, Andreas; Kadono, Yukihiro; Polívka, Jan; Reicher, ChristaThe central questions of the study are: Which adaptation strategies need to be taken in order to achieve integrated urban planning in German residential districts from the 1950s and to allow the elderly a self-determined and independent life within these neighborhoods, and which conceptual approaches arise in the three fields of action “dwelling”, “residential environment” and “social”. The empirical study area is Hattingen’s Südstadt, a typical district from the 1950s. Hattingen is a mid-sized city in Germany’s Ruhr region. The analysis of this neighborhood takes into account both challenges to the built structure and the residential environment as well as future social tasks. The intent is to show the responsible actors (municipalities and the housing industry) which possibilities exist to sustainably adapt the built stock in districts from the 1950s to the evolving demands of their inhabitants. Regarding changing demographic and social trends, these districts represent a housing stock that must be strengthened for the purpose of preserving the built structure and fostering development in the cores of cities.Item The Desert is Alive – Engagement in Aging Districts of Single-Family Housing(2017-05-02) Gudewer, Stephan; Utku, Yasemin; Beilein, Andreas; Kadono, Yukihiro; Polívka, Jan; Reicher, ChristaIn the discourse surrounding the prospects of districts of single-family housing built between the 1950s to the 1970s1, their assumed perspectives range from dramatic vacancy scenarios all the way to successful self-regulation of the market. A uniform trend is not recognizable in one direction or in the other. It is clear, however, that not all neighborhoods from this period will be able to accomplish a problem-free change of generations and that upheavals and therefore also new challenges will present themselves in the structure and composition of the neighborhoods. At the same time, these upheavals also bring along chances that especially arise from the residents of single-family housing neighborhoods. The present article draws on this point and, by focusing on civil engagement in these areas, aims to initiate a change of perspectives and illustrate approaches to developing these aging districts into sustainable neighborhoods. This article was preceded by a study that specifically dealt with the involvement of residents in aging single-family housing districts which the authors compiled by order of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia’s initiative “StadtBauKultur NRW 2020”.Item Patterns and Concepts of Suburban Development in Metropolitan Areas of Japan(2017-05-02) Yoshida, Tomohiko; Beilein, Andreas; Kadono, Yukihiro; Polívka, Jan; Reicher, ChristaIt is often said that two-thirds of Japan’s national land area consists of mountains, and the habitable area covers only 34% of the total area. The habitable and plain land is located mainly along the shoreline. As a result, urban spaces are geographically limited and population density is particularly high, compared with countries in Europe and North America, for example. This geographical limitation is considered to be one of the reasons why regulations to control rapid urbanization are comparatively loose in Japan. Resultantly, the country’s urban areas have expanded in the absence of effective methods for controlling the strong demand for the development and improvement of living spaces in cities and towns. In particular, the suburban areas of metropolises developed rapidly due to the period of high economic growth that commenced at the start of the 1960s. This article aims to analyze such patterns as well the locations of suburban developments, focusing mainly on detached houses in Japanese metropolises. A discussion of the problems with the existing model will provide the basis for a suggested urban policy that would enable Japanese cities (as well as overpopulated cities in European countries, such as Germany) to become more compact.Item Prospects for German Post-War Single Family Home Neighborhoods. Case Studies in Five Western German Federal States(2016-12) Berndgen-Kaiser, Andrea; Beilein, Andreas; Kadono, Yukihiro; Polívka, Jan; Reicher, ChristaGermany is one of the Western European countries with the most apparent effects of demographic change (United Nations 2011). Its population has been declining since 2003 and, under the assumption that this trend will continue, could decrease by a further five million by 2030 (Statistisches Bundesamt 2009). Several rural peripheral regions that are additionally affected by internal migration losses are expected to suffer population declines of up to 30 percent. Considering Germans’ ongoing preference for detached housing and the low proportion of detached and semi-detached houses in the overall housing stock in Germany, it was long assumed that the demand for houses would remain stable. However, a closer look at foreseeable developments reveals a declining housing demand, driven primarily by demographic factors and internal migration. This could lead to a fall in demand for older detached and semi-detached houses. Currently, there are only a few studies in Germany that look specifically at post-war housing estates; therefore, it is difficult to empirically verify the assumptions above. Against this background, this research project aimed at finding the reasons and defining the characteristics of a possible negative development of mature post-war housing estates in western Germany. As a first step, the research team conducted a risk assessment at the district level, analyzing supply and demand variables to identify districts with a high probability of a future oversupply of older houses. The results show that the risk of housing oversupply 146 Maturity and Regeneration of Residential Areas is confined almost exclusively to suburban and rural areas. The main empirical sources were the 29 local case studies in 14 municipalities carried out in different spatial settings (from urban to rural) in various western German federal states (Länder). Case studies were used because the large amount of data required to objectively assess the problem was not available in the official statistics at particular state and district levels. The case studies provided insight into local population structures, building uses and the availability of public amenities. Qualitative interviews with local authorities and estate agents were used to record the subjective assessment of possible developments. A standardized survey in ten selected areas provided insight into residents’ views, concerns and wishes. In contrast to the widespread opinion that detached housing estates in Germany fall outside the scope of public intervention, the results of the empirical surveys revealed a wide range of policies and measures for action. Moreover, the research results underline the importance of housing stock-oriented management as a way of enhancing the future development of the post-war housing stock.