The Making of Urban Japan: Cities and Planning from Edo to the Twenty First Century (Nissan Institute/Routledge Japanese Studies)

I read this book originally from my schools library for a rather length report on the development of castle towns (mainly Edo) during the Tokugawa era. This book ended up being one of my main sources for research as it gives amazing details of the development of Tokyo through the ages all the way up to modern day. It's a very factual book that is also pretty easy to read, what more could you ask for! It was upon this note that I decided to buy this book for my own library at home. That way I have easy access to the vast knowledge for future referencing.

One of the most detailed and interesting books of its genre. Well worth the read if you're into it. But I would guess most people buying this kind of stuff are students in Uni.

Sorensen's book does a great job showing just how *contingent* the development of 20th century Japanese cities was.There are a variety of myths about what makes Japanese urban development work (or fail): "It works because it’s top-down." "It works because Douglas MacArthur imposed strong property rights." "It works because of Japanese traditions of impermanence."Sometimes – often – essential simplifications are useful. And there’s no type of book more boring than the one that promises to tell you how “everything you know about X is wrong,” and then proceeds to offer a bunch of minor caveats to the basically-correct narrative you already knew. Thankfully, this isn’t that kind of book.Instead, what you come away with is an appreciation for how wrong each of these narratives is: Japanese land use is a delicately-balanced synthesis of centralized and scattered power. If you take away an essential story or lesson, it should be the contingency of outcomes. It works because the central planners were powerful enough to preempt local government but not powerful enough to sideline landowners. It works because local governments encouraged modernization but never had enough funding to execute urban renewal. It works because otherwise strong property rights coexisted along with Land Readjustment. It works because the postwar US and Japanese authorities did not fully enforce their own edicts. It works because of the mini-kaihatsu loophole.It works because a very specific sequence of institutions rose and declined over a very eventful century, and none of them had the time, power, or money to fully execute its vision.

I feel a bit outrageous in assigning my own book five stars, but what can I say, I'm biased!I am really just writing this note to let potential readers know that my book is winner of the International Planning History Society book award for best single-author book in planning history 2000-2003, awarded at the IPHS conference in Barcelona in July. For me, that is just about the best possible affirmation of the value of the book.I am also pleased to inform you that a new paperback edition was released during May of 2004. I have included below three excerpts from recent reviews in relevant journals.Best wishes,Andre SorensenReviews:`Andre Sorensen has written a very important book. More than any English language study now available, it unlocks a major puzzle in understanding modern Japan - why has a country that has excelled at industry and efficiency in its economy (and transport systems) failed so miserably in providing a high urban quality of life for its citizens? ... A very well written work'-Urban Studies`Meticulously researched and impressively presented ... a tremendous resource for the serious scholar.' -Geographical Association`This book should establish itself as the first port of call for both students and scholars embarking on a study of Japanese urbanism and planning history ... a highly sophisticated work'-Environment and Planning/Government & Policy

I'd strongly recommend this book for anyone wondering why Japanese cities are the way they are. Sorensen provides tons of interesting information about Japanese land use regulations and does so in an accessible, engaging way. There are a number of very helpful maps and data tables included in the book - my favourite was a table showing how in 1975, over 90% of the zoned area in Japan allowed multifamily housing.I would note that I disagree vehemently* with many of Sorensen’s opinions, but this is still a fantastic read. The book is about 90% fact and 10% opinion so it’s easy to tolerate.*In a nutshell, he tends to focus on the downsides of Japan’s uniquely centralized planning system despite its remarkable successes.

Good book and fast delivery. Thanks you so much!