Unique Characteristics of Local Landscape and Its Sustainable Management in Japan

Japan is a small country, but the natural environments are rich in diversified topography and on the weather. In addition to this, the history of the contact between man and nature is long, and the contact styles of each place are different. Therefore the unique landscape in each region which the relation between man and nature created historically exists variously nationwide. And after the 2000s, the importance of unique characteristics of the local landscape was emphasized in the legal system, and came to be recognized as important resources in a regional plan. In response to the change of interest and the sense of values in such landscape and environment, a new planning theory for the landscape management is being examined recently in Japan. It is necessary to build new ways of thinking and methodologies for the landscape management, for example new financial resources or performing organization and so on. In accordance with that trend, roles and the ability expected of landscape architects are changing. In the future, landscape architects will be required not only to create new landscapes (landscape design) but also to read unique characteristics of local landscapes (landscape literacy) more strongly.