A Study of the Development of City Parks in Japan since the 1970's

The purpose of this paper is to study the development of city parks in Japan since the 1970's. The result of investigation is as follows; (1) Regarding research of city parks since 1970, applying the qualification theory III, The researches of the park were divided into the categories as follows; ( i ) children's playground, (ii) the spatial function of green tracts of land, (iii) the evaluation of actual use viewpoint , (iv) the historical viewpoint, ( v ) the natural environment protection viewpoint, and (vi) the social capital, citizen's participation and park management viewpoint. (2) the researches of the actual use viewpoints are increasing. This trend shows that the research viewpoints have been shifted from the individual using to the various subjects of using. (3) The researches of the historical viewpoint, researches focusing on Asia are increasing. This trend shows that the research viewpoints have been shifted to the relationship between the planning and the realization. (4) The research on the natural environmental protection viewpoints has seen a large expansion from the evaluation of forest in parks. (5) The social capital, citizen's participation and park management viewpoint were increased, as well as community development and the spreading effect.