Abstract
In this study, a new model for improving the settlement environment and revitalizing hilly and mountainous areas was presented. A case study was conducted in two rural villages of Nakatsu-Mura in Wakayama-Prefecture, Japan. The settlement environment was evaluated from the point of view of the local residents, and the expectation of the local residents about the regional revitalization of their village in the future was assessed. From the analysis, each factor used far the assessment displayed characteristics of the two rural villages well. The type of improvement in rural villages was classified by a combination of the degree of satisfaction over the current settlement environment and expectation about the regional revitalization of the villages in the future. A method for improving and revitalizing settlement environments was clarified.