Faculty Profiles - HARA Yuji

Published Papers - HARA Yuji

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Estimating Mammal Appearance Patterns and a Wild Boar Density Using Multiple Motion Sensor Cameras in the Campus Site of Wakayama University, Central Japan

MASUDA Shogo, HARA Yuji, KIMOTO Yuki, SAMPEI Yuki

Papers on Environmental Information Science ( Center for Environmental Information Science ) ceis38 209 - 214 2024.12 [Refereed]

In this study, we used motion sensor cameras and monitored mammal appearance patterns in the Wakayama University campus area located foothill development site with remaining forest patches between January 2023 and January 2024. We also estimated wild boar population density using the REST model. A total of 1065 days of camera operation and 9433 effective shots were taken, confirming the presence of 11 mammal species. The most frequent species was wild boar as 72.59 times/100 days. The result of the density estimation was 50.8 animals/㎢. These results indicate that the remnant forest in the foothill development area, adjacent to the human living spaces, functions as a habitat for various mammals.

A calibration of the model for screening terraced paddies with higher conservation priorities using field cases of certified terraced paddy districts in Wakayama Prefecture in Japan

OBA Yuki, HARA Yuji, YAMAMOTO Yugo

Landscape Research Japan Online ( Japanese Institute of Landscape Architecture ) 16 5 - 16 2023.02 [Refereed]

In this study, we improved and further developed the existing GIS-based model for screening terraced rice lots in its conservation priority with focuses on three aspects; landscape value, agricultural efficiency and disaster prevention function. Then the model was applied to the Wakayama Prefecture area within the Kii Peninsula region in central Japan, in which has a clear north-south gradient in geological features. As the results, constructed model performed effectively in selecting rice lots with higher conservation priority within 10km spatial scale. Moreover, in the northern part of the prefecture, agricultural efficiency was an important aspect in the model, whereas landscape value and disaster prevention function were also detected in the middle and southern parts, respectively. Prefectural governmental officials in charge of terraced paddy conservation policies, who were interviewed, supported an applicability of this model in actual institutional fields because it was guaranteed by scientific approaches. Based upon these figures, we proposed that at prefectural spatial scale the model calibrated among three aspects depending on geologic and topographic conditions could be utilized for prioritizing terraced paddies without serious regional inequalities in institutional supports.

Mapping Uncounted Anthropogenic Fill Flows: Environmental Impact and Mitigation

Yuji Hara, Chizuko Hirai, Yuki Sampei （Part： Lead author,　Corresponding author )

Land 11 ( 11 ) 1959 2022.11 [Refereed] [Invited]

Fill material flows created by land development earthworks are anthropogenic agents that generate massive energy use from their heavy loads. However, formal quantification of these flows has been neglected. We use Osaka Prefecture in Japan as a case study to quantify fill flows and associated CO2 emissions. We collected data on fill flows, including fill generation and acceptance. We mapped these publicly uncounted fill flows and calculated the CO2 emissions from the associated energy use. We also simulated a scenario in which optimized shortest-distance matching is achieved between fill generators and acceptors. We estimated the current fill flows based on distance and weight and broke down the total by type of site and activity. We compared our estimates of current fill flows with estimates from our matching simulation and found the simulation could achieve an 8448 km reduction in flow length and a 5724 t-CO2 reduction in emissions associated with transportation. We discussed the implications of flexible matching, especially in different construction sectors, and the importance of continuous, spatially geo-referenced monitoring of these fill flows toward further environmental impact mitigation. The approach presented here could apply to assessing environmental loads arising from landform changes in other cities and lead to development of a new regional- and global-scale fill material science in the Anthropocene.

Plant Diversity in the Dynamic Mosaic Landscape of an Agricultural Heritage System: The Minabe-Tanabe Ume System

Yuji Hara, Shinji Oki, Yoshiyuki Uchiyama, Kyuichi Ito, Yuto Tani, Asako Naito, Yuki Sampei （Part： Lead author,　Corresponding author )

Land ( {MDPI} {AG} ) 10 ( 6 ) 559 - 559 2021.05 [Refereed]

The Minabe-Tanabe Ume System in central Japan is defined as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. This study examined relationships between parcel-level plant diversity and land use, management, and development in traditional sloped Ume (Japanese apricot; Prunus mume) orchards and adjoining level orchards recently developed through large-scale cut-fill land development. We constructed and overlaid past (1974) and present (2015) digital land-use maps to assess land use and topography. We conducted field vegetation surveys in land parcels with different development and management histories. Although 249 ha (4.6% of the total 2015 area) were developed using cut-fill methods, 5148 ha remain a traditional orchard surrounded by coppice forests. Vegetation surveys and a two-way indicator species analysis revealed that traditional orchards had more native species and a higher plant diversity index. Cut-fill orchards contained a higher proportion of alien species; however, the degree depended on parcel history and management. Overall, this area remains a dynamic mosaic landscape containing a core of long-standing Ume orchards. We suggest that biodiversity conservation in this area should focus on conservation measures such as indirect land-use regulations, including some acceptable landform transformations, to promote continued farming of this ecologically important area.

Digital Spatial Data Construction and Land Cover Change Analysis of Terraced Paddies using 1953 Large-scale Aerial Photographs in the Middle Part of Arida River Watershed

Tomoya OKANO, Yuji HARA （Part： Last author,　Corresponding author )

Journal of rural planning ( 農村計画学会 ) 38 ( 2 ) 128 - 135 2019.09 [Refereed]

In order to conserve terraced paddy landscapes in mountainous areas in Japan, strategic land-use zoning for terraced paddies, surrounding forests and villages is important. For this purpose, it is essential to understand spatial distribution of original terraced paddy parcels before intensive afforestation and mechanism of land-use changes. In this study, we interpreted large-scale 1953 aerial photographs and constructed vector parcel dataset, and conducted spatial analysis in consideration of landforms and the current land covers. As the results, we identified that many terraced paddy parcels in 1953 were very tiny lots with its sizes were less than 100m^2. It was suggested that terraced paddy parcels in nearby areas along the Arida River tended to be still cultivated until now, whereas those on the steep slope over 20 degree in upper river area are mostly abandoned. And our results also showed 40% of the parcels were planted with conifer trees and 40% could be changed into broadleaf forests as natural forest succession in this area. Our parcel dataset could contribute to develop a deeper understanding of the land use change process of terraced paddy field and its backgrounds, and to make a new conservation strategy with not only conceptual design but also numerical goals based on scientific evidence.

Assessing urban agriculture potential: a comparative study of Osaka, Japan and New York City, United States

Yuji Hara, Timon McPhearson, Yuki Sampei, Brian McGrath （Part： Lead author,　Corresponding author )

SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE ( SPRINGER JAPAN KK ) 13 ( 4 ) 937 - 952 2018.07 [Refereed]

In this study, we examined urban agricultural production potential in New York city (NYC) in the United States and Osaka in Japan in a comparative study not only due to their similarities in population and region size but also differences in historical geographies and urban formation processes. We utilized available high-resolution land-use-and land-cover data to map and empirically compare size, land use, and spatial patterns of sites of current urban agriculture as well as land areas with potential for expanding urban agriculture. By linking current vegetable production data, and potential future urban agriculture land with per capita vegetable consumption data, we were able to estimate the total potential population that could be supported by locally produced vegetables. Our results showed that by scaling up current vegetable production in existing NYC community gardens, potential agricultural productivity on other underutilized or vacant land was 0.26 kg/m(2)/year for NYC. For Osaka, existing rice and dry fields could produce in comparison 0.54 and 0.74 kg/m(2)/year, respectively. By combining potential urban and peri-urban vegetable production measures with estimated needed vegetable caloric intake per person per year, we show that the current vegetable production levels in Osaka can feed approximately 0.50 million people. However, if the region maximizes existing underused speculative dry fields, urban and peri-urban agriculture could feed approximately 3.4 million people per year. In NYC, current vegetable production in community gardens is estimated to feed only 1700 people per year. However, if NYC maximized all available urban vacant lots and other open spaces, potential vegetable production could provide food annually for 0.55 million people. We discuss how though both community gardens in NYC and remaining rice and dry fields in Osaka have been out of formal city planning with clear land-use definition in zoning, these agricultural practices have nonetheless emerged as important sources of local food production and nutrition on the one hand, and sites of social benefit on the other.

The Minabe-Tanabe Ume System: Linkage of Landscape Units by Locals

Yuji Hara, Yuki Sampei, Hirotaka Tanaka （Part： Lead author,　Corresponding author )

SUSTAINABILITY ( MDPI ) 10 ( 4 ) 2018.04 [Refereed]

This paper focuses on the Minabe-Tanabe Ume system, which was designated as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) in December of 2015. Because landholdings reflect historical social connections among various landscape units, we quantitatively examined the landscape characteristics of the system by preparing digitized spatial data and performing geographic information system analysis. We also examined the consensus building process among different stakeholders toward GIAHS recognition, as well as the emergent local spatial structure of the stakeholder network through interviews with key stakeholders and participatory monitoring. Our spatial analysis of the landscape generally supported the traditional knowledge of the area as a watershed-based mosaic of coppice forests on ridges, Ume orchards on sloped areas, and villages with rice paddies and dry fields in the plains. Our stakeholder network visualization identified several key persons as important nodes that could connect different types of land use now and may have done so in the past. Moreover, because our GIAHS site has compact agglomerations of watersheds with ranges within a similar to 30-min drive, most stakeholders, who turned out to have graduated from the same local school, are able to maximize their social capital to reorganize the remaining nodes among different land uses, thereby contributing to the formation of the land-use system and its further promotion through dynamic conservation measures.

Dynamic wetland mosaic environments and Asian openbill habitat creation in peri-urban Bangkok

Yuji Hara, Keita Yamaji, Shigehiro Yokota, Danai Thaitakoo, Yuki Sampei （Part： Lead author,　Corresponding author )

URBAN ECOSYSTEMS ( SPRINGER ) 21 ( 2 ) 305 - 322 2018.04 [Refereed]

This study examined the spatial relationships between various types of wetland and the distribution of Asian openbills (Anastomus oscitans) as an indicator species in a peri-urban industrial area of Bangkok. We (1) mapped the study area by using a time series of aerial photographs combined with field validations, (2) conducted a 2-year line census of Asian openbills in the field, (3) interviewed local farmers and residents about Asian openbill populations and spatial distributions, and (4) conducted an overlay analysis to statistically identify land-use factors related to spatiotemporal changes in the Asian openbill population and distribution. We found that the number of ponds increased from 1980 to 1999 and then decreased from 1999 to 2010, but the remaining ponds were relatively temporally stable in their numbers and volumes. Paddy fields were primarily replaced by aquaculture ponds, and excavated soil was used as fill in adjoining built-up areas. The number of coconut, banana, mango and other trees planted around the ponds increased during the period, providing Asian openbill habitat. The openbills fed in the remaining paddy fields, and the simultaneous existence of various rice cultivation stages in the area provided a stable year-round source of food. Overall, the results indicated that this expanding urban-rural mosaic landscape could include further spatial distribution of Asian openbills in the future. This study of Asian openbills reveals just one example of the ecosystem services provided by developments creating pond-fill landscapes, and the methods used may be applicable in other similar continental delta regions.

Post-disaster recovery linked with pre-disaster land development and damage density of Typhoon Yolanda: Toward better land-use planning in Tacloban City, the Philippines

HARA Yuji, OHSUGI Tasuku, TSUCHIYA Kazuaki, MURAKAMI Akinobu, PALIJON Armando M. （Part： Lead author,　Corresponding author )

Journal of Environmental Information Science ( Center for Environmental Information Science ) 2017 ( 2 ) 1 - 12 2018.03 [Refereed]

Coastal cities in Asia face increasing risks of extreme climate events and urgently need to develop risk-reduction plans to mitigate the harmful socioeconomic consequences of such events. In this study, we undertook geographical analyses and conducted interviews with stakeholders in the Tacloban City area, the Philippines, to investigate the relationships among building types, storm-surge inundation and post-disaster recovery after 2013 Typhoon Yolanda. Squatter settlements in low-lying urban and coastal areas were destroyed by the typhoon, but were rapidly rebuilt by squatters using debris from the typhoon. Government programs relocated some of the affected squatter populations to new socialized housing developments on safe higher ground that were some distance from the squatters' former urban and coastal livelihoods, thus causing reluctance to relocation. Our GIS analysis of available geo-spatial data, coupled with extensive stakeholder interviews, showed that there were enough vacant lots within pre-existing housing subdivisions to house more than 7000 squatters and provide them with plots for urban vegetable farming that would provide their livelihood. Interviews with stakeholders suggested that this approach would not encounter excessive resistance. Thus, our study demonstrated that comprehensive GIS analyses and stakeholder involvement can contribute to effective land-use planning for community resilience.

Relationship between home range of the Japanese Pond Turtle, Mauremys japonica, and agro-ecosystem in rural landscape of Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, central Japan

Yuji HARA, Tasuku OHSUGI, Kensuke YOKOO, Yuya ODA, Dai FUKUI, Toshiaki TAKENAKA, Satoru ARIMOTO （Part： Lead author,　Corresponding author )

The Nanki seibutsu 57 ( 2 ) 97 - 106 2015.12

Linking food and land systems for sustainable peri-urban agriculture in Bangkok Metropolitan Region

Kazuaki Tsuchiya, Yuji Hara, Danai Thaitakoo

LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING ( ELSEVIER ) 143 192 - 204 2015.11 [Refereed]

We applied a geographic approach to the analysis of current food-related behaviors in pen-urban Bangkok, Thailand, to better understand potential for building a local food system for sustainable peri-urban agriculture during a period of rapid urbanization. We addressed three main working questions: (I) Do traditional wet markets keep functioning as an important hub for vegetable and fruit food systems under the influence of modern supermarkets? (2) How "local" are the current food-related behaviors of multiple actors? (3) How do the distributions of food-related actors and their environments change in this period of rapid urbanization in pen-urban areas? We combined field based interviews of multiple actors, including farming and non-farming households, wet market retailers, and food shop owners with a GIS analysis of food-related activities and land use changes. We found that the traditional food system played an important role as both a food source for households and a selling destination for farmers. Wet market, a hub in traditional food system, spread across pen-urban areas and kept increasing under urbanization. There was, however, little connection between farmers and nearby wet markets in the same district and it constricted positive feedbacks between producers and consumers in pen-urban areas. Promoting communication between farmers and nearby retailers will contribute to better governance of a local food system and subsequent long-term conservation of pen-urban farmlands. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licensesiby-nc-nd/4.0/).

Agricultural Landscape Changes and its Resilience in Response to the 2011 Serious Floods in the Urban Fringe of Bangkok

HARA Yuji, YUKIMATSU Hironobu, THAITAKOO Danai, TSUCHIYA Kazuaki （Part： Lead author,　Corresponding author )

JOURNAL OF RURAL PLANNING ASSOCIATION ( THE ASSOCIATION OF RURAL PLANNING ) 33 ( Special Issue ) 191 - 196 2014.11 [Refereed]

Using Bangmaenang District in the urban fringe of Bangkok Metropolitan Region in Thailand as a case study area, this study aims at examining agricultural land-use changes after the 2011 Floods with special focus on farmers' intentions of orchard use and management. Supervised image classifications were conducted for two GeoEye-1 images (before and after the floods) in order to identify agricultural land-cover changes by the floods. In field survey, selected sample farm parcels were monitored using GPS digital camera, and farmers were interviewed about their adaptation to the floods and intentions of farmland uses along with time after the floods. The results of satellite image analysis and sample farmland monitoring showed that orchards got more serious flood damage than other farmlands including paddy fields, vegetable fields and flower farms. Orchard farmers tended to avoid replanting fruit trees because of higher initial costs and a fear of future flooding.

The impact of historical geography and agricultural land development processes on wetland restoration methods used to create ecological networks: A comparison of Japan and the Netherlands

Hara, Y, Hooimeijer, F, Nijhuis, S, Ryu, M, van Timmeren, A （Part： Lead author,　Corresponding author )

Nakhara: Journal of Environmental Design and Planning 10 127 - 138 2014.10 [Refereed]

In the Osaka area in the 1880s, rice was grown mostly in dry fields in upland areas, and a few paddy fields were situated on the natural wet landforms along the major rivers and streams on the Osaka Plain. As the area developed, dry fields became irrigated, and the lowland fields were filled and converted to urban land uses. For the Osaka city region, developed in this historical context, an ecological network has been proposed by the national government in 2006. The proposal was partially influenced by ecological network planning in the Netherlands, and it focuses on spatial patterns and wetland restoration measures at a limited number of sites. However, its historical geography is not taken into consideration. Therefore we examined historical land-use changes in the Osaka area and then compared restoration projects in both countries. On the one hand, we found some similarities in wetland restoration processes and measures at unused industrial sites in reclaimed coastal areas in Japan (the Osaka Nankou Bird Sanctuary) and the Netherlands (the Oostvaardersplassen). There are, on the other hand, notable differences in appropriate wetland restoration measures in farmland areas. Some potential wetland restoration candidates in Japan require either winter flooding or the resumption of labor-intensive agricultural practices in abandoned paddy fields, because many of these sites were naturally dry before the introduction of irrigation. In the Netherlands (e.g., at Tiengemeten), however, this was not a problem because areas are being converted from drained fields to natural wetlands. To conclude, regional considerations are therefore important when ecological networks are planned, and the perspective of historical geography is essential when networks are planned with wetland restoration as a core element.

Quantitative assessment of the Japanese "local production for local consumption" movement: a case study of growth of vegetables in the Osaka city region

Yuji Hara, Kazuaki Tsuchiya, Hirotaka Matsuda, Yugo Yamamoto, Yuki Sampei （Part： Lead author,　Corresponding author )

SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE ( SPRINGER JAPAN KK ) 8 ( 4 ) 515 - 527 2013.10 [Refereed]

This study aimed to assess Japan's recent "local production for local consumption" (LPLC) movement, with a special focus on vegetables in the Osaka city region of central Japan. After collecting statistics and spatial data, we conducted a multi-scale analysis of vegetable production and consumption along with the associated energy consumption, using geographical information system software at three spatial scales along the vegetable flow paths: national, regional, and local. Vegetables consumed in the Osaka city region came from prefectures throughout Japan, and we mapped the foodshed within this region at 1-km spatial resolution, as well as the distribution of farmland, farmers' and other markets. We also conducted a scenario analysis for reduced energy consumption through organic farming and the utilization of abandoned farmland near a city to replace food imports from distant areas. We found that the large majority of vegetables consumed in the Osaka city region currently come from remote prefectures, and that this is associated with a high level of energy consumption. Inside the Osaka city region, peri-urban vegetable farming contributes to regional vegetable provision, resulting in an approximately 70 % production/consumption ratio within an 80-km radius of the urban center; if all of the area of abandoned farmland were restored to production, this ratio would increase to approximately 75 %. Organic farming activities that bring together farmers and urbanites are emerging in many parts of the study area, contributing to increased LPLC. Scenario analysis suggested that a decrease of more than 1 x 10(6) GJ of energy inputs could be achieved through wider adoption of local organic farming for local consumption and complete utilization of abandoned farmland in the Osaka city region.

A quantitative assessment of vegetable farming on vacant lots in an urban fringe area in Metro Manila: Can it sustain long-term local vegetable demand?

Yuji Hara, Akinobu Murakami, Kazuaki Tsuchiya, Armando M. Palijon, Makoto Yokohari （Part： Lead author,　Corresponding author )

APPLIED GEOGRAPHY ( ELSEVIER SCI LTD ) 41 195 - 206 2013.07 [Refereed]

The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess vegetable production and consumption in an urban fringe area in Metro Manila, the Philippines. We conducted field investigations into vegetable production at a farm within a subdivision, monitored customers for 1 week at the farm's vegetable stand, interviewed customers of the stand, and conducted household monitoring and interviews to identify purchasing behavior. We also conducted an object-based WorldView-2 image analysis of a larger area to identify current and potential future vegetable farming plots and a spatial analysis using GIS to visualize the vegetable production/consumption ratio. We found that about one-third of current vegetable demand could be supplied by greater promotion of vegetable farming in vacant lots and by setting up more vegetable stands at spatial intervals less than 1-km. Subdivision regulations also influenced vegetable farming because of the level of social acceptance of caretakers of vacant lots. The current planning and institutional framework does not consider social contexts in land use and planning. We suggested that a new framework is necessary; it should consider balancing the formation of social capital and formalize planning and institutional procedures to support sustainable local vegetable production. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Flood damage in the eastern fringe of Metro Manila by 2009 tropical storm Ondoy : In comparison with the results of 2001 field survey

HARA Yuji （Part： Lead author,　Corresponding author )

JOURNAL OF RURAL PLANNING ASSOCIATION ( THE ASSOCIATION OF RURAL PLANNING ) 30 ( Special Issue ) 207 - 212 2011.11 [Refereed]

This study aims at examining flood damage in the eastern fringe of Metro Manila by 2009 tropical storm Ondoy in comparison with the previous study for the 1989 flood in the same area. Data on distribution of flood depth were obtained from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority and overlaid with the landform classification map using GIS in order to understand landform-flood relationships for the whole study area. Then the two sample sites for detailed field investigation were selected and field interviews with local people were conducted for verifying field situations of flooding. As the results, it was revealed that 100-year return period heavy rainfall by Ondoy was causing higher floodwater level at the meandering point along the Marikina River accelerated by the recent completion of the several bridges, and the subdivision situated on a former river course was got serious flood damage due to the dyke break. In contrast, a lacustrine plain was not seriously submerged as reported by the previous study due to the completion of the lakeshore dyke and drainage pumping stations; however, the lakeside subdivision built in an informal planning process was inevitably submerged.

Current organic waste recycling and the potential for local recycling through urban agriculture in Metro Manila

Yuji Hara, Takashi Furutani, Akinobu Murakami, Armando M. Palijon, Makoto Yokohari （Part： Lead author,　Corresponding author )

WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH ( SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD ) 29 ( 11 ) 1213 - 1221 2011.11 [Refereed]

Using the solid waste management programmes of three barangays (the smallest unit of local government in the Philippines) in Quezon City, Metro Manila, as a case study, this research aimed to further the development of efficient organic waste recycling systems through the promotion of urban agricultural activities on green and vacant spaces. First, the quantity of organic waste and compost produced through ongoing barangay projects was measured. The amount of compost that could potentially be utilized on farmland and vacant land within the barangays was then identified to determine the possibility of a local recycling system. The results indicate that, at present, securing buyers for compost is difficult and, therefore, most compost is distributed to large neighbouring farm villages. However, the present analysis of potential compost use within the barangay demonstrates that a more local compost recycling system is indeed feasible.

Mixed land-use planning on the periphery of large Asian cities: the case of Nonthaburi Province, Thailand

Yuji Hara, Ai Hiramatsu, Ryo Honda, Makiko Sekiyama, Hirotaka Matsuda （Part： Lead author,　Corresponding author )

SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE ( SPRINGER TOKYO ) 5 ( 2 ) 237 - 248 2010.07 [Refereed]

Throughout Asia, rapid and uncontrolled urbanization has created serious environmental problems, and the development of sustainable urban-rural planning methods is of critical importance. To improve our understanding of mixed urban-rural land uses and provide future practical visions for regional planning, we conducted a case study of the urban fringe of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Thailand. After identifying local irrigation districts as the basic spatial unit for resource circulation, we quantified current material flows of organic wastes generated by households within each district. We then developed two different land-use scenarios for 2020: (1) a high-rise compact and (2) a low-story sprawl development scenario. These scenarios were compared in terms of efficiency of material flows and energy consumption. We found that, based on current infrastructure and technology, the latter scenario was more advantageous in terms of both material input and energy consumption than the former, thereby, identifying positive aspects of urban-rural land-use mixture. Based on these results, we propose that planners should focus on density control measures that take into account bioresource circulation within irrigation districts rather than simply drawing arbitrary land-use zoning lines. To this end, we suggest that the division between agricultural and urban planning departments must be bridged, and that research should take an interdisciplinary approach.

Land-use Change and its Factors in the Suburban 4 Counties of Tianjin City, China

HARA Yuji, GONDHALEKAR Daphne, TAKEUCHI Kazuhiko （Part： Lead author,　Corresponding author )

Journal of The Japanese Institute of Landscape Architecture ( Japanese Institute of Landscape Architecture ) 73 ( 5 ) 747 - 750 2010.03 [Refereed]

In China, built-up areas are expanding rapidly into suburban agricultural fields due to recent economic growth. To understand land-use changes and its factors, we carried out a case study in the suburban four counties of Tianjin City. We examined land-use changes between 1995 and 2002 through digital map preparation and GIS analysis, and verified these changes in the field by interviews. We found that urban land uses and factories have been expanding into the peripheral dry and rice fields, which were basically approved by the local government. Agricultural land diversification was also observed in the two different forms that were large-scale export-oriented farmlands and small-scale patches to supply vegetables and fishes for the local market.

Municipal solid waste flow and waste generation characteristics in an urban-rural fringe area in Thailand

Ai Hiramatsu, Yuji Hara, Makiko Sekiyama, Ryo Honda, Chart Chiemchaisri

WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH ( SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD ) 27 ( 10 ) 951 - 960 2009.12 [Refereed]

In the urban-rural fringe of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, rapid urbanization is creating a land-use mixture of agricultural fields and residential areas. To develop appropriate policies to enhance recycling of municipal solid waste (MSW), current MSW management was investigated in the oboto (local administrative district) of Bang Maenang in Nonthaburi Province, adjoining Bangkok. The authors conducted a structural interview survey with waste-related organizations and local residents, analysed household waste generation, and performed global positioning system (GPS) tracking of municipal garbage trucks. It was found that MSW was collected and treated by local government, private-sector entities, and the local community separately. Lack of integrated management of these entities complicated waste flow in the study area, and some residences were not served by MSW collection. Organic waste, such as kitchen garbage and yard waste, accounted for a large proportion of waste generation but was underutilized. Through GPS/GIS analysis, the waste collection rate of the generated waste amount was estimated to be 45.5-51.1% of total generation.

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