A Study on Changes of Land Use and Regional Characteristics with the Redevelopment of the Port in the Tokyo Waterfront Area

Changing land use patterns are clarified from time and space points of view. Relationships are revealed between changing land-use patterns and port functions in the Kaigan area of the Tokyo waterfront, Minato Ward, Tokyo Metropolis. After Tokyo port opened in 1941, the Tokyo waterfront area was used mainly for logistics facilities, such as warehouses and port facilities. However, since the 1960s, the logistics system in the port has been changed by containerization. Port facilities in the Tokyo waterfront area became outdated. In response, the Tokyo waterfront area was redeveloped in the mid-1980s. As a result, significant changes to land use occurred in the Tokyo waterfront area. This study selects three target years, 1985, 1996, and 2012. A mesh analysis is conducted of land use in the Kaigan area, Minato Ward, Tokyo district. From 1985 to 1996, the port policy changed land use in the port district away from logistics facilities, including warehouses and port facilities. From 1985 to 1996, vacant land for redevelopment increased during the period of the asset inflation-led bubble economy. In comparison with the period from 1985 to 1996, during the period of from 1996 to 2012, land use changes in the port district ceased and changes outside the port district continued. These are connected to changing port functions. Since the 2000s, the number of passenger ships using Takeshiba pier has increased, promoting changes to urban land use in the surrounding area. On the other hand, at Shibaura pier, the number of the cargo ships entering remains unchanged, and land in the vicinity has continued to be used for logistics facilities such as warehouses and port facilities. Consequently, relationships are suggested between changing land-use patterns and port functions.