2021 Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate major in Urban Design and Built Environment
Urban Planning and Development in Japan
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Urban Design and Built Environment
- Instructor(s)
- Norihiro Nakai
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Intensive
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- UDE.D507
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This lecture provides the general history of Japanese cities, the contemporary urban planning system of Japan, and current issues relating to the Japanese cities.
The aim of the lecture is to give basic knowledge on Japanese cities and how we plan these cities, particularly for those students who are not familiar with Japanese cities or urban planning.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will :
1) have acquired general knowledge on Japanese cities and urban planning in Japan
2) have gained knowledge as to how the Japanese cities have been developed since the beginning of the modern era
3) be able to understand what issues the contemporary Japanese cities have to tackle
Keywords
Japanese cities, Urban planning, Planning history, Urban planning system, Urban design
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
This lecture will be provided in English and in an intensive form, mainly Saturdays in June and July. The detailed lecture schedule will be announced at the beginning of the 1st quarter.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | History of Japanese Planning and Development 1 |
To undertand Japanese cities immediately after the modernization; to understand the common goals through Japanese urban planning |
| Class 2 | History of Japanese Planning and Development 2 |
To understand the genesis of Japanese urban planning system; to understand how the Japanese cities have been developed in the post-war period |
| Class 3 | Japanese Urban Planning System 1 |
To understand the overall picture of the Japanese urban planning system; to understand the basic knowledge of masterplan and land use control |
| Class 4 | Japanese Urban Planning System 2 |
To understand the urban development system |
| Class 5 | Japanese Urban Planning System 3 |
To understand the decision-making process of urban planning |
| Class 6 | Issues in Japanese Planning 1: Planning for Population Decreasing Society |
To understand planning for population decreasing society |
| Class 7 | Issues in Japanese Planning 2: Planning for Disaster Prevention |
To understand planing for disaster prevention |
| Class 8 | Issues in Japanese Planning 3: Urban Renewal and Regeneration |
To understand urban renewal and regeneration |
| Class 9 | Issues in Japanese Planning 4: Historic Conservation and Design Control |
To understand histric concervation and design control |
| Class 10 | Issues in Japanese Planning 5: Planning for Low Carbon City |
To understand planning for low carbon city |
| Class 11 | Presentation by students |
To give a presentation on urban planning of your home city |
| Class 12 | Presentation by students |
To give a presentation on urban planning of your home city |
| Class 13 | Site visit |
To understand the Japanese cities through site visit |
Study advice (preparation and review)
Textbook(s)
Not specified
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Andre Sorensen, The Making of Urban Japan, Routledge
The lecture materials and slides will be uploaded on the OCW system. Students will be advised to download the materials in advance.
Evaluation methods and criteria
By evaluating presentation by students
Related courses
- UDE.P403 ： Urban Planning
Prerequisites
Recommended for students in Urban Design and Built Environment Course, Architecture Course, and Civil Engineering Course, though not excluding those overseas students with other majors. The lecture will be given in English.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
Norihiro Nakai, nakai.n.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp
Office hours
As needed. Contact by e-mail in advance.