Saori Imoto

A STUDY ON SPACE USE AND MANAGEMENT OF REST AREAS OF EXPRESSWAYS OPENED TO LOCAL AREAS

Since 2005, rest areas of expressways have been opened to the local communities to increase the number of visitors. This study focused on the space use and management of these open-style rest areas. We clarified follows; 1) most of the rest areas are opened to local communities by renovating the existing facilities, 2) there are some advanced cases that local governments or companies collaborate to manage rest areas, 3) local residents visit rest areas not only to fulfill their everyday needs but also for other various purposes, 4) there are some problems in accessibility or equipment for users from local areas.

CHANGES OF COMMON SPACES OF HIGH-RISE, HIGH-DENSITY HOUSINGS IN URBAN AREA IN THE PAST DECADES OF THE DECLINING BIRTH RATE SOCIETY

High-rise and high-density complexes in urban areas have abundant outdoor spaces, many regional facilities and rooms for common use. We found that these common spaces have been changed their uses in the past three or four decades in order to meet the needs. Especially, a lot of common spaces have been turned into facilities for children and elderly. We easily understand that the elderly facilities have increased because aging is a marked progression of the high-rise and high-density complexes. While, it is remarkable that in spite of the decreasing children in the complexes the children facilities have never been disused, in fact, they have increased. The childrens facility in the complexes have been attracting children and their parents in their neighbor areas.