## Section 3 – Developing Scenic Landscapes and Other Aesthetic Land Planning

### 1. Developing Pleasant Landscapes

(1) Promotion of the measures based on the Three Laws on Landscape and Greenery

The landscape administration organizations $ ^{1} $ set up based on the “Landscape Act” increased to 443 as of March 2010 and landscapes plans were formulated by 216 organizations to promote measures for developing pleasant landscapes. Furthermore, “outdoor advertisement related administration” is being pushed forward, including the introduction of an outdoor advertisement businesses registration system pursuant to the revised “Outdoor Advertisement Act” and the enactment of ordinances to regulate outdoor advertisement (27 organizations has completed the enactment of ordinances by April 2009) by municipalities that were approved as landscape administrative organizations. Moreover, the development of pleasant landscapes as well as the formation of green areas that are comfortable for living in, are being promoted; for instance, Nagoya City and Yokohama City are taking the lead in applying the Green Space Scheme based on the “Urban Green Space Conservation Act”.

Also, for regulation and guidance policies based on the “City Planning Act” and the “Building Standards Act”, measures regarding the formation of pleasant landscapes by regional public organizations are being pushed forward.

## (2) Operating the Landscape Assessment (landscape evaluation) System

For developing social infrastructure for landscapes, landscape evaluation is carried out while listening to a variety of opinions from the local residents affected by the projects and from academic experts, etc. The Landscape Assessment (landscape evaluation) System is used to reflect the results in project plans.

### 2. Development of attractive landscapes the public can be proud of

## (1) Promoting the removal of power poles

MLIT is promoting extensive removal of utility poles on major non-highway roads in addition to highway roads in downtown areas to ensure secure and comfortable traffic areas, forming pleasant landscapes, preventing disasters, and improving the reliability of information communication networks and promoting tourism/regional invigoration, etc.

(2) Promoting the “Scenic Byway Japan” project

With the cooperation of various parties, with the aim of formulating beautiful national landscapes by using the street as a stage and utilizing local resources, and to contribute to tourism promotion and regional stimulation, the “Scenic Byway Japan” are being promoted. A total of 116 routes have been registered as Scenic Byway Japan as of the end of March 2010. The activities for these routes that contribute to the formation of beautiful landscapes through the utilization of roads, and the improvement of regional attractiveness are supported.

## (3) Promoting the development of waterside spaces

Combining the intrinsic nature, culture and history of rivers, MLIT is promoting the development of water-friendly and scenic rivers into nearby natural environments that everybody can enjoy through “diversified natural river development”, “river area development”, and “river-side schools for fun”.

In addition, MLIT is working on the development of waterways that utilize public sewerage and rainwater ditches and facilities to utilize processed sewage water in waterways, based on the system of next generation sewerage support projects so as to reclaim and create waterways that utilize processed sewage water. Furthermore, good water environments are being preserved and created by appropriately implementing sewage treatments.