Provision of Allotment Gardens and Its Influencing Factors: A Case Study of Tokyo, Japan
Zheng H., Akita N., Araki S., Fukuda M.
Land 11(3):333
Urban Farm DB summary
Using 313 allotment gardens drawn from governmental open data, the study classified them by cluster analysis based on number of plots, plot size, contract price and duration, and facilities. It found that allotment-garden provision in Tokyo is differentiated from city center to suburbs by the share of agricultural land and residents' socio-demographic characteristics including population, share of young people, and income levels.
Key points
- 1Most allotment gardens (AGs) in Tokyo are located in urbanization promotion areas.
- 2AGs are concentrated within 20 to 30 km from the center of Tokyo, and their clusters tend to be located at municipal boundaries.
- 3The provision of AGs is related to municipal-level factors such as population density, land price, and the ratio of productive green space.
- 4Policymakers need to consider the siting strategy of AGs based on their spatial characteristics.
Abstract and stored text
OpenAlexAllotment gardens (AGs) are widely used in metropolitan areas around the world to offer agricultural opportunities to urban residents. However, there are not enough individual plots for residents to rent for urban gardening, and research on AGs from a city-wide perspective is ongoing. In addition, AGs have a long history in Tokyo, yet few international studies on the current situation of AGs have addressed Asian cities. Thus, this study intends to analyze the provision of AGs and its influencing factors in Tokyo. Using ArcGIS combined the 472-points dataset created by geo-coordinate mapping with urban GIS data to reveal spatial characteristics in four dimensions. Results demonstrate that most AGs are in the urbanization promotion area; most municipalities have AGs; AGs are concentrated within 20 to 30 km from the center of Tokyo; the AGs’ clusters are located at the municipal boundaries. We conducted multiple regressions to determine the influencing factors at the municipal level, with the provision that AGs are related to population density, land price, and the ratio of productive green space. The policy implication of this study is that policymakers need to consider the siting strategy of AGs based on spatial characteristics of AGs.
Why it matters for urban farming
This study shows citizens where allotment gardens (urban farms) exist in Tokyo and what factors influence their establishment. The findings that AGs are concentrated 20-30 km from the city center, in urbanization promotion areas, and near municipal boundaries are useful when searching for new urban farm locations or advocating to local governments. The importance of population density, land price, and productive green space provides citizens with criteria to assess the feasibility of establishing farms in their communities. The recommendation for policymakers to consider AG siting strategies offers a basis for citizens to push for more strategically planned and accessible urban farms.