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The subject of this volume is the “area context,” implying “some kind of inheritable structure or ‘value’ discovered in the process of development from the past to the present, or even the future, within the physical environment in which we live.” Those engaged directly in urban planning and regional development have long been enquiring as to how to read such regional contexts and inherit them in planning and design. Value has been found in relatively stable structures, like cities and regions, seeking to achieve affinity and harmony with those structures. However, it is becoming difficult for contemporary cities and regions to assume the same stable structure as in the past due to neoliberal economic and political systems and globalization, frequent natural disasters, and social changes caused by reduction in population, declining birthrate, and population aging. We are witnessing the emergence of issues regarding area contexts that cannot be solved by conventional methods and logic.
 
This volume discusses the forefront of the contemporary area context theory in four parts. Part I discusses the historical development of area context theory from three perspectives: architectural assemblage, urban space, and natural ecology. Contemporary area context theory is framed as a third wave that began in the late 1990s, following the first wave from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century and the second wave from the 1950s to the 1970s. Recognizing the impossibility of determining the correct context, the challenge of the third wave is regarding the kind of new area context theory to envision. Part II examines concrete methods for interpreting area contexts through a general discussion and a catalog. Area context is presented not as an absolute value, but as a subject-environmental perception. Part III discusses, through general discussion and a catalog, how interpreted area contexts are established in concrete environments and what the concrete practices for this purpose are. Possibilities and challenges can be found in terms of balancing environment and economy, local autonomy, and process design. Part IV, based on the design of interpretation and establishment so far, defines three fields, including ongoing challenges, trialing area context design to highlight further challenges. Specifically, these are the Meiji Jingu Gaien, Tsukuba Science City, and areas affected by the accident at Fukushima nuclear power plant.
 
As described above, this volume systematically goes through the method of area context design, which utilizes area contexts in urban planning and regional development, based on a wealth of concrete examples, simultaneously presenting future challenges and prospects.
 

(Written by NAKAJIMA Naoto, Professor, School of Engineering / 2024)