Town development

Town development generally indicates a movement that seeks resident?彡entered regional development and renewal&sbquo or the forming of a new community. It implies forming community in an urban area that demonstrates a modern urban character&sbquo as opposed to the contrary concept "village or rural development (murazukuri)." In suburban areas in particular where the urban character is showing a sprawl phenomenon&sbquo the residents' movement for improvement in the living environment and environmental preservation has been interlocked with town development. From here&sbquo new concepts and movement&sbquo such as "progressive local government&sbquo" "minimum civil living standard&sbquo" and "participatory government&sbquo" have developed. The town development movement that seeks to avoid excessive concentration has led to a confrontation with the government&sbquo as well as criticism and public monitoring of the administration. The problem with town development&sbquo however&sbquo lies in its prime objective&sbquo the revitalization of the economy. Its essential objective should rather be civil movements aimed at economic rejuvenation for cultural accumulation&sbquo environmental preservation&sbquo establishment of educational community and safe and secure town development. Moreover&sbquo what I fear the most is the fact scholars and architects are taking the leadership of such activities. Obviously&sbquo specialized knowledge is indispensable for the city&sbquo urban development&sbquo city planning and economic planning. There are&sbquo however&sbquo two problems. The first is whether or not scholars and architects making proposals is the same thing as civil movements becoming the central force. The other is the fact that the political ideology on which many of the civil movements are based is composed by scholars and has not been tested. Therefore&sbquo along with governmental reform&sbquo it is necessary that the debates and movements that have arisen from authentic civil movements&sbquo as well as their promotion&sbquo maintenance and action should become the essence of town development. Town development that includes such elements as communication through incorporation of design methods&sbquo and establishment of its infrastructure is now demanded of design.

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