Q: Should the growth of the city be managed or left to the market?
A: Constrain the growth according to the supply power that cities have, such as water resources, will eventually bring sustainable growth.
Fukuoka City, a vibrant and compact urban hub, is not only known for its convenience and proximity to Asia but also for its rich natural environment. As one of the few Japanese cities with a growing population, it faces the challenge of balancing development with sustainability. While the city attracts developers, there is a pressing need to manage growth carefully to preserve green spaces, protect vital resources, and ensure long-term environmental health. Fukuoka's proactive approach, including strict zoning laws and green space conservation efforts, serves as a model for sustainable urban development.
Development Restriction Policy of Fukuoka City
Fukuoka City is a highly convenient city where urban functions are compactly integrated. With excellent access to Asia and well-developed transportation, it is an attractive location for many people. Additionally, the city is characterized by its rich natural environment, with easy access to the sea and mountains just 30 to 40 minutes by car from the city center. Particularly, the green spaces behind the city center not only enrich the daily lives of citizens but also play a crucial role in water source conservation, the formation of habitats for wildlife, biodiversity preservation, and, from the perspective of climate change mitigation, in the absorption and sequestration of carbon dioxide, reduction of air pollution, and prevention of landslides.
The city is also one of the few cities in Japan where the population continues to grow, making it highly attractive to developers. However, leaving urban development solely to market principles may result in prioritizing profit, potentially leading to the neglect of green space conservation and the reduction of the land for agriculture, forestry or fisheries.
In Japanese cities, land use is regulated by zoning under the City Planning Act, which defines areas such as urbanization zones and urbanization control zones. Land use must be conducted according to these regulations. Furthermore, under the Urban Green Space Conservation Act, municipalities are required to formulate a " Master Plan for Parks and Green Spaces " to systematically and comprehensively implement the conservation and promotion of green spaces. This process includes holding public hearings to reflect residents' opinions and making efforts to publicly announce the plans.
In Fukuoka City, the "Greenery Master Plan," established in 1999 and revised in 2009, serves as the foundation for active green space conservation efforts. Additionally, the city has implemented its own ordinance that requires the mayor's approval for developing land above 80 meters in elevation. This regulation helps to curb disorderly development in hilly areas and promote green space conservation.
[Case ID: Urban Policy UP-12]
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