Practical Study about Placemaking By Revitalization and Utilization of Vacant Houses Reflecting Local Architectural Culture

Daisaku Hayashida Associate Professor, Osaka Institute of Technology

The objective of this study was to investigate vacant houses with historical importance in Sakurai-City, Nara-Prefecture, Japan and to create a taxonomy and guidelines for Placemaking purposes. The number of vacant houses in Japan have reached to 8.2 million, and vacancy rate was 13.5% due to aging and decreasing population in 2013. In this study, 1,283 houses were investigated and it was found that several of them reflected the local architectural culture. A taxonomical analysis was conducted, and 381 buildings with traditional design patterns such as udatsu or yamatomune were identified. Furthermore, 14 blocks in the area were classified into 4 types as Scattered, Connected, Areal, and Others. In 2015, questionnaire survey for residents was conducted and it was found that general shops and community facilities were key elements. In 2016, The Guide Map of Townscape Along the Old Ise Highway was produced and distributed to residents and visitors to raise awareness. In 2017, The Handbook for Preservation of Townscape was created. Moreover, 180 houses along the Highway were investigated and it was found that 80 were of traditional design. 22 of these houses were already abandoned, so interview was conducted for the owners about their intentions of revitalizing and leasing. Furthermore, measurement surveys of these houses were conducted and created guidelines for placemaking purposes. As a result, three projects were completed and six are under way. As a conclusion, the issue and direction of Placemaking by revitalization and utilization of vacant houses were found; 1) the value of local architectural culture should be revealed; 2) the daily needs of residents should be reflected in Placemaking; and 3) the professional supports such as management, repairing, consultation and intermediation of vacant houses should be offered, in order to preserve such historical, cultural and architectural value for future generations.

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