## Chapter 3: Promoting Regional Revitalization and Urban Renaissance

## [Initiatives toward regional revitalization and urban renaissance]

It is important that the central government provide full support to the revitalization initiatives of motivated local governments that take advantage of local creativity and ingenuity, while respecting their autonomy as much as possible. Such initiatives are expected to stimulate the local economy and create local employment. Laying the groundwork for mobilizing integrated measures and creating an environment where the private sector can exercise its expertise to the full hold a key to enhancing the charms and international competitiveness of cities.

In this context, MLIT is working to reform the subsidy system so that subsidies will be more accessible to local governments, in close coordination with the Headquarters for the Regional Revitalization and Urban Renaissance Headquarters in the Cabinet Office. The ministry is also working to increase support for the related initiatives of motivated local government. In addition, MLIT is supporting urban renaissance projects by the private sector in key areas for urban renaissance (“the Prompt Development Area for Urban Renaissance”) and other related projects.

## [Promoting policies that support regional revitalization and urban renaissance]

MLIT has already taken a number of steps to enhance the autonomy of local governments. For example, the ministry has created “Community Renovation Grants,” which are quite different from the existing subsidies in that they allow for more autonomy of local governments and cover a wide range of projects. It has also made operational improvements to the special subsidy for local road development. In addition, MLIT has created a framework for supporting municipalities in developing integrated public facilities. Moreover, the ministry has the Regional Revitalization Team.

MLIT encourages local governments to take advantage of the expertise and funds of the private sector. The ministry also supports local initiatives to exploit local resources.

Other physical and non-physical infrastructure development implemented or supported by MLIT includes: rejuvenating built-up areas within cities; developing traffic nodes; eliminating highway-railroad grade crossings; revitalizing public transport that supports local life; promoting cadastral development; and promoting interaction between urban and rural areas.

## <“Railroad crossings that rarely open” concentrated in metropolitan areas>

##

## JR Chuo Line continuous grade separation

## ☐ Project impact

Before : Many crossings along the JR Chuo Line cause traffic jams, traffic accidents, and community partitions directly or indirectly.

Most of crossings are “bottleneck” crossings where traffic is blocked for 40 minutes or more per hour at peak hour, or 50,000 vehicle hours or more per day.

After : 18 crossings of which all but one are “bottleneck” crossings will disappear.

Benefits : In the case of the Koganei-kaido crossing

• The total time period during which the crossings bars are down at peak hours will be reduced from 55 minutes per hour to none.

• The maximum congestion length will be shorted from 530 meters to none.

• The community will be “united” through free traffic flows.

## ○Project profile

Section : Between Mitaka and Tachikawa on the JR Chuo Line

Section length : 13.1 kilometers

Total cost : about 179 billion yen

Completion by : FY2006 for the Mitaka-Kokubunji section

FY2008 for Nishi-Kokubunji-Tachikawa section