Initially developed in England, new towns—planned suburban residential neighbourhoods in metropolitan areas—have spread globally, reaching from Europe to East Asia, including Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore. In Japan, the proliferation was significant, with 2,903 new towns established. However, these towns have experienced a rapid decline in population and an increase in ageing demographics over the past four decades. As a result, many have transformed from burgeoning new towns into what are now termed ‘old new towns’, necessitating a transformation of their facilities to adapt to these demographic shifts.
Dr. Haruka Kato, a junior associate professor at Osaka Metropolitan University, and Professor Emeritus Kazuhiko Mori undertook action research in Senboku New Town, one of the largest of these old new towns in Japan. Over time, Senboku New Town saw its population decrease from 170,000 to 115,000 by 2022.
Simultaneously, the older segment of the population increased by approximately 42,500 individuals, making up 37.1% of the total population. This demographic change has posed significant challenges, particularly as local shops began closing. This severely impacted the daily lives of older adults, who found it increasingly difficult to access necessary services within a manageable distance.
In response to these challenges, residents initiated several community-led projects with support from community federations, non-profit organisations, social welfare groups, governmental bodies, and educational institutions. One notable initiative is the Senboku Hottokenai Network Project, which has progressively repurposed vacant buildings to serve as supportive housing for older adults, group homes for individuals with disabilities, and community restaurants. This initiative revitalised Senboku New Town and inspired similar transformations in neighbouring areas, highlighting the efficacy of community-led urban redevelopment.
Dr Kato explains that the phrase ‘Hottokenai’, which means ‘leave no one behind’ in Japanese, echoes the core commitment of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals. The project’s success in Senboku New Town underscores the importance of transdisciplinary collaboration and community-driven co-creation in revitalising old new towns. Dr Kato advocates for expanding this new town movement program, suggesting similar strategies be applied to other new old cities across East Asia to ensure that these communities can adapt to and thrive amidst demographic changes, ensuring no one is left behind.
More information: Haruka Kato et al, Community-led urban transformation project as transdisciplinary approach: Case of Senboku Hottokenai Network Project, Habitat International. DOI: 10.1016/j.habitatint.2024.103197
Journal information: Habitat International Provided by Osaka Metropolitan University
