85
of Productive green in UPA (Fig. 4.32). The variety of overlaps creates several patterns of urban-rural mixture, but each land use control system is well coordinated to
be compliant. This phenomenon is called “hidden order” in landscape, an idea originally developed by Japanese architect Yoshinobu Ashihara, applying to Japanese
architecture as a metaphor for culture to explain an insider’s look at the apparent
lack of order of Tokyo (Ashihara 1989).
4.6 Enhancing the Value of Urban-Rural Grey
4.6.1 Growing Vegetables as a Retiree Lifestyle
Japan has a rapidly aging population. Many elderly people living in the suburbs of Tokyo
belong to the baby boomer generation born just after World War 2 (Fig. 4.33). They
worked in Tokyo and commuted to their companies from their suburban home. Currently,
the number of retirees is increasing and quite a few people have started growing vegetables in their neighborhood as a part of their retiree lifestyle. This is partly because of the
proximity of their homes to farmland in urban-rural mixture of suburban Tokyo.
Those who want to start farming have several options. If they seriously
intend to contribute to the agricultural industry, they can support a professional
farmer as a part-time worker. Or, nowadays they can even become professional
farmers with the support of local municipalities. However, the easiest option
for becoming involved in farming is becoming a hobby farmer, a person who
enjoys farming for leisure and as a non-profit activity. A reasonable option for
a hobby farmer to start farming is to rent a small plot(s) of allotment gardens
(10–30 m
2
) which are currently provided by various organizations including
municipalities, agricultural associations (Japan Agriculture Cooperatives), or
even private industry entrepreneurs (Fig. 4.34). Most commonly, allotment
hobby farmers grow vegetables by themselves, but currently an alternative
includes expert guidance by a professional farmer or gardening expert from a
private company.
Fig. 4.32 Land use control systems creating hidden order in actual land use pattern
4 The Value of Grey
of Productive green in UPA (Fig. 4.32). The variety of overlaps creates several patterns of urban-rural mixture, but each land use control system is well coordinated to
be compliant. This phenomenon is called “hidden order” in landscape, an idea originally developed by Japanese architect Yoshinobu Ashihara, applying to Japanese
architecture as a metaphor for culture to explain an insider’s look at the apparent
lack of order of Tokyo (Ashihara 1989).
4.6 Enhancing the Value of Urban-Rural Grey
4.6.1 Growing Vegetables as a Retiree Lifestyle
Japan has a rapidly aging population. Many elderly people living in the suburbs of Tokyo
belong to the baby boomer generation born just after World War 2 (Fig. 4.33). They
worked in Tokyo and commuted to their companies from their suburban home. Currently,
the number of retirees is increasing and quite a few people have started growing vegetables in their neighborhood as a part of their retiree lifestyle. This is partly because of the
proximity of their homes to farmland in urban-rural mixture of suburban Tokyo.
Those who want to start farming have several options. If they seriously
intend to contribute to the agricultural industry, they can support a professional
farmer as a part-time worker. Or, nowadays they can even become professional
farmers with the support of local municipalities. However, the easiest option
for becoming involved in farming is becoming a hobby farmer, a person who
enjoys farming for leisure and as a non-profit activity. A reasonable option for
a hobby farmer to start farming is to rent a small plot(s) of allotment gardens
(10–30 m
2
) which are currently provided by various organizations including
municipalities, agricultural associations (Japan Agriculture Cooperatives), or
even private industry entrepreneurs (Fig. 4.34). Most commonly, allotment
hobby farmers grow vegetables by themselves, but currently an alternative
includes expert guidance by a professional farmer or gardening expert from a
private company.
Fig. 4.32 Land use control systems creating hidden order in actual land use pattern
4 The Value of Grey