93
4.7.2 Value of Grey
According to the layer model, the boundary between urban and rural land uses is not
as clear as that of a conventional dichotomous model. Also, the boundary should be
regarded as in constant flux. The zone between constantly fluxing boundaries may
be called a Grey Zone, where an extensive micro-scale mixture of urban and rural
land uses is found. In the Grey Zone, the physical entity may change according to
changing emphasis on the layers, but the system to control different layers should
be there. The key of the layer model is embedded in its intangible system, not in the
tangible entity.
Such a system with changing tangible entity controlled by an eternal intangible
system can commonly be found in Japan’s cultural heritages. Ise Grand Shrine is an
excellent example. The Ise Grand Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, which
is well known for more than 1300 years for maintaining a system of rebuilding the
shrine buildings every 20 years. Authenticity of the shrine has been embedded in its
unique system which has survived over 1000 years, not in its physical entity.
“Grey” stands not for an uncontrolled, uncivilized, or undesirable condition.
“Grey” is a keyword that represents an adaptable system where tangible entities
may change but the authenticity is embedded in the intangible system itself, and
such a system with “grey” character will undoubtedly provide resilience to cities.
Usefulness of a planning concept with “grey” can be shared by many cities around
the world that also frequently suffer from natural disasters.
Figure 4.41 illustrates the seismic risk hazards and the location of major cities in
the world. Red, orange, and yellow show areas with a high risk of seismic hazards;
black circles represent the size and location of cities. Many major cities in Asia are
obviously situated on terrain where the risk of earthquake is very high. It is expected
that not only Japanese cities but cities which share such a high-risk situation will
also discover and appreciate the “value of grey” in an effort to make themselves
resilient. In recent years, however, such a concern about natural disasters is starting
to be shared by cities in the West as well. Because of global climate change, cities
along a coastline – no matter where they are located – are now facing the threat of
serious storms and coastal flooding, and thus starting to seek an alternative planning
concept that may effectively provide them with the needed resilience. The concept
of “grey” should also be appreciated not only in Japan but also in the whole world.
Dichotomous landscape with a clear separation of urban and rural land uses is
indeed simple, clear, and often beautiful. Such a concept is also efficient provided
no sudden or major changes occur. A “grey” landscape with a micro-scale mixture
of urban and rural land uses may look chaotic and disordered. However, grey landscape maintains high adaptability to unpredictable and sudden changes, and thus
contributes to making cities resilient. “Value of grey” should be appreciated for its
resilience and the potential that it holds for the sustainable future of our world.
4 The Value of Grey
4.7.2 Value of Grey
According to the layer model, the boundary between urban and rural land uses is not
as clear as that of a conventional dichotomous model. Also, the boundary should be
regarded as in constant flux. The zone between constantly fluxing boundaries may
be called a Grey Zone, where an extensive micro-scale mixture of urban and rural
land uses is found. In the Grey Zone, the physical entity may change according to
changing emphasis on the layers, but the system to control different layers should
be there. The key of the layer model is embedded in its intangible system, not in the
tangible entity.
Such a system with changing tangible entity controlled by an eternal intangible
system can commonly be found in Japan’s cultural heritages. Ise Grand Shrine is an
excellent example. The Ise Grand Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, which
is well known for more than 1300 years for maintaining a system of rebuilding the
shrine buildings every 20 years. Authenticity of the shrine has been embedded in its
unique system which has survived over 1000 years, not in its physical entity.
“Grey” stands not for an uncontrolled, uncivilized, or undesirable condition.
“Grey” is a keyword that represents an adaptable system where tangible entities
may change but the authenticity is embedded in the intangible system itself, and
such a system with “grey” character will undoubtedly provide resilience to cities.
Usefulness of a planning concept with “grey” can be shared by many cities around
the world that also frequently suffer from natural disasters.
Figure 4.41 illustrates the seismic risk hazards and the location of major cities in
the world. Red, orange, and yellow show areas with a high risk of seismic hazards;
black circles represent the size and location of cities. Many major cities in Asia are
obviously situated on terrain where the risk of earthquake is very high. It is expected
that not only Japanese cities but cities which share such a high-risk situation will
also discover and appreciate the “value of grey” in an effort to make themselves
resilient. In recent years, however, such a concern about natural disasters is starting
to be shared by cities in the West as well. Because of global climate change, cities
along a coastline – no matter where they are located – are now facing the threat of
serious storms and coastal flooding, and thus starting to seek an alternative planning
concept that may effectively provide them with the needed resilience. The concept
of “grey” should also be appreciated not only in Japan but also in the whole world.
Dichotomous landscape with a clear separation of urban and rural land uses is
indeed simple, clear, and often beautiful. Such a concept is also efficient provided
no sudden or major changes occur. A “grey” landscape with a micro-scale mixture
of urban and rural land uses may look chaotic and disordered. However, grey landscape maintains high adaptability to unpredictable and sudden changes, and thus
contributes to making cities resilient. “Value of grey” should be appreciated for its
resilience and the potential that it holds for the sustainable future of our world.
4 The Value of Grey