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Urban development policies and land management — Japan and Asia
Book reviews
may ironically encourage species conservation, and countries interested in saving germplasm resources may increasingly turn to gene banking. Scholars and policy makers interested in the state of the world are, ultimately, concerned with information and data. While not the exhaustive study it might be, State of the World 1985 should interest anyone who cares about the future. Above all, this book is about trends, and the interconnections between environand economic population mental, problems. As in most policy studies of this genre, a few critical assumptions must be accepted a priori, such as that population and soil erosion should be controlled, endangered species saved and energy use reduced. But the
volume is consistently well written and edited with virtually no mistakes, and the arguments are generally quite persuasive. In the final analysis, I suspect that the perception of a book’s worth may be as important as its actual content (at least to the authors and publisher). The 1984 volume was ordered in bulk and distributed to 1400 top political and corporate leaders in the USA by a major television network president. I would gladly give my blessing to a much wider circulation of the 1985 edition.
Barry D. So/omen Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Washington, DC, USA
Japan’s blueprint for Asia URBAN DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND LAND MANAGEMENTJAPAN AND ASIA edited by M. Honjo and T. lnoue City of Nagoya, Japan, 1984, 389 pp This book is the summary report of the International Seminar on Urban Development Policies and Land Management, held in Nagoya in October 19X2 under the auspices of Nagoya City and the United Nations Centre for Regional Development. The seminar commemorated the completion of Nagoya’s War Damage Rehabilitation Project in 1981, and its main aim was ‘to examine urban development policies in Asia with special reference to the problems of land management’ (p 15). The book consists of five parts, each of which is written by several authors. Part one reviews urban development and land management policies in Japan and other Asian countries. By the land readjustment applying method, which was invented in the West and became the basic means of city planning in Japan. Honjo stresses the duality of city structure, ie the coexistence of modern and traditional in developing Asian counsectors, tries; and argues that the traditional sectors (which are generally poor)
LAND USE POLICY January
1986
should receive more attention. In this method, the cost of relocating preexisting plots and constructing public facilities such as roads and parks is covered in principle by selling land contributed by landowners, while the landowners benefit from the improved infrastructure and increased land prices as a compensation for their loss of land area. Inoue’s general report on urban development in Japan also focuses on the role played by this method. It appears that the organizers of the seminar expect it to play a key role in the dialogue on urban development policies between Japan and other Asian countries. Part two focuses on Asian countries other than Japan. Papers are presented by the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Korea, and each includes a general review together with detailed accounts of special topics or areas. The Philippines report concentrates on its capital Metro Manila, with a chapter on the upgrading project of its largest squatter slum; while the Indian delegate makes special reference to the ‘plot reconstruction technique’, or land consolidation, which has been used as a major tool for preparing land for urban use in some cities including Bombay. Housing the urban poor is a major concern of every report, and there is
unanimous support for environmental upgrading of slums instead of largescale forced resettlement of slum residents. Another common concern is the shortage of funds to carry out development or improvement projects, especially in the poorer sectors of cities. The control of land prices, which is at the heart of urban development, is also a common theme. This section offers a good introduction to the diverse and difficult issues of urban development policies and land management in the less developed countries. The history of Japanese urban development and related policies at three administrative levels - national, metropolitan and neighbourhood are outlined in part three. Nationally, there have been three distinctive periods since 1960: the period of intensive economic growth and rapid urbanization (1960-1970); the period of economic overheat and the land boom when conversion of land use was accelerated by land speculation (197&1973); and the period after the 1973 oil crisis which has been characterized by a lower economic growth rate, more stable land price and a decreased supply of housing land. The metropolitan level stresses the role played by ‘new towns’ (new suburban residential areas), which have had strategic importance in demonstrating the systematic formation of cities. The main topic at the neighbourhood level is the improvement of low-quality residential areas. Japanese experience is thus reviewed in detail, both temporally and spatially.
Land readjustment The book continues with the history and implications of land readjustment in Japan. The national-level report deals with the historical development of this method, which started with the readjustment of arable land and later became the major tool of city planning during the reconstruction period after the second world war, and following the enactment of the Land Readjustment Law (1954). There is also a description of its mechanism and financial aspects. The Nagoya report claims that ‘land
65
Rook
reviews
readjustment is the mother of city at least in Nagoya where planning’, practically all urban development has been accomplished by this means. However, the report admits that the method should be modified due to changes such as the stabilization of land prices and the diversification of landowner’s interests. Such critical reviews and the systematic comparison of selected project areas within the city effectively show the diversity of this method applied to wide-ranging settings and problems. The final part is the edited discussion of the applicability of land readjustment to the less developed countries of Asia. Japan and Korea have a generally successful experience of land readjustment, and a positive view of its applicability. The other countries carefully examine the possibility, but question the extremely strong commitment of the Japanese to this method. As one delegnte stated: ‘. the Japanese Government very steadfastly and single-mindedly accept land rendjustment as the main instrument for urban development and did not succumb to the temptation of going into other things like land acquisition’ (p 344). The Japanese organizers and participants are concerned with demonstrating Japanese experiences in great detail, while the others are mainly concerned with the practical aspects of how to improve the living conditions of poor urban dwellers. The seminar fell short of fully discussing how and what kind of land readjustment can be applied to the divers, poorer sectors of the less developed countries.
Irrelevant Generally speaking. land read,justment requires increases in land pnces, a long time period. and professional officials, and is thus irrelevant in the extremely poor sectors of the less developed countries. It may be successful in certain circumstances, as some delegates showed. but that does not mean it can be adopted widely and successfully. The editors say: ‘No matter how tedious and timeconsuming the process may be, and no
66
matter how demanding it may be in terms of professional expertise at local levels when land readjustment-type approach is adopted, ways to facilitate its further application need to be explored, because the alternative bulk acquisition approach is often unfeasible on account of public authorities’ (PP 10). This strong conviction and optimism is and it may have led the impressive, less developed countries to consider it
as a possibility regardless of whether it is the best method. However, it may leave a doubt in some readers’ minds as to how far the editors appreciate the complexity and difficulty of situations in the less developed countries. especially extreme poverty and the urgency of improving poor living conditions. Yukio Himiyama Hokkaido University of Education Asahikawa, Japan
Development and progress in the Punjab AGRICULTURE AND THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS STUDY OF PUNJAB by D.P. Chaudhri
- A
and Ajit K. Dasgupta
Croom Helm, Beckenham, 261 pp f 19.95
UK, 1985,
Development studies has assumed increasing importance as countries progress from less developed countries (LDC) to developing countries. Further development plans are being executed to bring these developing countries up to the level of developed countries. The effect of development works should be evaluated critically for further progress. Development studies are also useful for LDCs - they can gain from the experience of developing countries and evaluation studies. However. the technology developed in highly advanced countries may not be suitable for LDCs as they may not be able to absorb the technology at their present level of economic growth. In LDCs. agriculture is the main component of the development process. With this background, Agricdturc mri the Der&pr~~r~r Procrss is a helpful topical book and provides insights for planners. In addition. the book may be useful for students and researchers in agricultural economics and development studies. The book begins with an historical background of the Punjab (land of five rivers) which is essential for an under-
stnnding of the green revolution and economic growth. Agricultural growth in the Punjab was confined to its western part (Pakistan), but East Punjab (India) remained stagnant during the period between lOOf and 1032. The partition was a traumatic cxperience and a great challenge for the people of Punjab. A prerequisite for any development work is a workable infrastructure, for which the government and the people have to work together. In the second chapter, ‘Growth of agricultural output and inputs’, the authors concentrate on land use patterns, growth of agricultural implcments and machinery, and growth of output and input for the years 1050 ~ lV70. Statistics show that there was ;I great increase in numbers of electrical pumps and iron ploughs from I%1 to 1972 which is reflected in increased agricultural productivity. The number of working animals was red~lcetl and there was an increase in milch aninAs. Analysis has been done in terms of an aggregate production function assuming disaggregated technical change and perfectly competitive markets, The authors argue that economic growth WZIS achieved essentially by agricultural development based on inproved techniques of production, a process in which the state provided the basic rural infrastructure and the individual farmer responded vigorously. Trends in population change, fertilmigration. household ity. mortality,
LAND USE POLICY January
1986
may ironically encourage species conservation, and countries interested in saving germplasm resources may increasingly turn to gene banking. Scholars and policy makers interested in the state of the world are, ultimately, concerned with information and data. While not the exhaustive study it might be, State of the World 1985 should interest anyone who cares about the future. Above all, this book is about trends, and the interconnections between environand economic population mental, problems. As in most policy studies of this genre, a few critical assumptions must be accepted a priori, such as that population and soil erosion should be controlled, endangered species saved and energy use reduced. But the
volume is consistently well written and edited with virtually no mistakes, and the arguments are generally quite persuasive. In the final analysis, I suspect that the perception of a book’s worth may be as important as its actual content (at least to the authors and publisher). The 1984 volume was ordered in bulk and distributed to 1400 top political and corporate leaders in the USA by a major television network president. I would gladly give my blessing to a much wider circulation of the 1985 edition.
Barry D. So/omen Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Washington, DC, USA
Japan’s blueprint for Asia URBAN DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND LAND MANAGEMENTJAPAN AND ASIA edited by M. Honjo and T. lnoue City of Nagoya, Japan, 1984, 389 pp This book is the summary report of the International Seminar on Urban Development Policies and Land Management, held in Nagoya in October 19X2 under the auspices of Nagoya City and the United Nations Centre for Regional Development. The seminar commemorated the completion of Nagoya’s War Damage Rehabilitation Project in 1981, and its main aim was ‘to examine urban development policies in Asia with special reference to the problems of land management’ (p 15). The book consists of five parts, each of which is written by several authors. Part one reviews urban development and land management policies in Japan and other Asian countries. By the land readjustment applying method, which was invented in the West and became the basic means of city planning in Japan. Honjo stresses the duality of city structure, ie the coexistence of modern and traditional in developing Asian counsectors, tries; and argues that the traditional sectors (which are generally poor)
LAND USE POLICY January
1986
should receive more attention. In this method, the cost of relocating preexisting plots and constructing public facilities such as roads and parks is covered in principle by selling land contributed by landowners, while the landowners benefit from the improved infrastructure and increased land prices as a compensation for their loss of land area. Inoue’s general report on urban development in Japan also focuses on the role played by this method. It appears that the organizers of the seminar expect it to play a key role in the dialogue on urban development policies between Japan and other Asian countries. Part two focuses on Asian countries other than Japan. Papers are presented by the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Korea, and each includes a general review together with detailed accounts of special topics or areas. The Philippines report concentrates on its capital Metro Manila, with a chapter on the upgrading project of its largest squatter slum; while the Indian delegate makes special reference to the ‘plot reconstruction technique’, or land consolidation, which has been used as a major tool for preparing land for urban use in some cities including Bombay. Housing the urban poor is a major concern of every report, and there is
unanimous support for environmental upgrading of slums instead of largescale forced resettlement of slum residents. Another common concern is the shortage of funds to carry out development or improvement projects, especially in the poorer sectors of cities. The control of land prices, which is at the heart of urban development, is also a common theme. This section offers a good introduction to the diverse and difficult issues of urban development policies and land management in the less developed countries. The history of Japanese urban development and related policies at three administrative levels - national, metropolitan and neighbourhood are outlined in part three. Nationally, there have been three distinctive periods since 1960: the period of intensive economic growth and rapid urbanization (1960-1970); the period of economic overheat and the land boom when conversion of land use was accelerated by land speculation (197&1973); and the period after the 1973 oil crisis which has been characterized by a lower economic growth rate, more stable land price and a decreased supply of housing land. The metropolitan level stresses the role played by ‘new towns’ (new suburban residential areas), which have had strategic importance in demonstrating the systematic formation of cities. The main topic at the neighbourhood level is the improvement of low-quality residential areas. Japanese experience is thus reviewed in detail, both temporally and spatially.
Land readjustment The book continues with the history and implications of land readjustment in Japan. The national-level report deals with the historical development of this method, which started with the readjustment of arable land and later became the major tool of city planning during the reconstruction period after the second world war, and following the enactment of the Land Readjustment Law (1954). There is also a description of its mechanism and financial aspects. The Nagoya report claims that ‘land
65
Rook
reviews
readjustment is the mother of city at least in Nagoya where planning’, practically all urban development has been accomplished by this means. However, the report admits that the method should be modified due to changes such as the stabilization of land prices and the diversification of landowner’s interests. Such critical reviews and the systematic comparison of selected project areas within the city effectively show the diversity of this method applied to wide-ranging settings and problems. The final part is the edited discussion of the applicability of land readjustment to the less developed countries of Asia. Japan and Korea have a generally successful experience of land readjustment, and a positive view of its applicability. The other countries carefully examine the possibility, but question the extremely strong commitment of the Japanese to this method. As one delegnte stated: ‘. the Japanese Government very steadfastly and single-mindedly accept land rendjustment as the main instrument for urban development and did not succumb to the temptation of going into other things like land acquisition’ (p 344). The Japanese organizers and participants are concerned with demonstrating Japanese experiences in great detail, while the others are mainly concerned with the practical aspects of how to improve the living conditions of poor urban dwellers. The seminar fell short of fully discussing how and what kind of land readjustment can be applied to the divers, poorer sectors of the less developed countries.
Irrelevant Generally speaking. land read,justment requires increases in land pnces, a long time period. and professional officials, and is thus irrelevant in the extremely poor sectors of the less developed countries. It may be successful in certain circumstances, as some delegates showed. but that does not mean it can be adopted widely and successfully. The editors say: ‘No matter how tedious and timeconsuming the process may be, and no
66
matter how demanding it may be in terms of professional expertise at local levels when land readjustment-type approach is adopted, ways to facilitate its further application need to be explored, because the alternative bulk acquisition approach is often unfeasible on account of public authorities’ (PP 10). This strong conviction and optimism is and it may have led the impressive, less developed countries to consider it
as a possibility regardless of whether it is the best method. However, it may leave a doubt in some readers’ minds as to how far the editors appreciate the complexity and difficulty of situations in the less developed countries. especially extreme poverty and the urgency of improving poor living conditions. Yukio Himiyama Hokkaido University of Education Asahikawa, Japan
Development and progress in the Punjab AGRICULTURE AND THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS STUDY OF PUNJAB by D.P. Chaudhri
- A
and Ajit K. Dasgupta
Croom Helm, Beckenham, 261 pp f 19.95
UK, 1985,
Development studies has assumed increasing importance as countries progress from less developed countries (LDC) to developing countries. Further development plans are being executed to bring these developing countries up to the level of developed countries. The effect of development works should be evaluated critically for further progress. Development studies are also useful for LDCs - they can gain from the experience of developing countries and evaluation studies. However. the technology developed in highly advanced countries may not be suitable for LDCs as they may not be able to absorb the technology at their present level of economic growth. In LDCs. agriculture is the main component of the development process. With this background, Agricdturc mri the Der&pr~~r~r Procrss is a helpful topical book and provides insights for planners. In addition. the book may be useful for students and researchers in agricultural economics and development studies. The book begins with an historical background of the Punjab (land of five rivers) which is essential for an under-
stnnding of the green revolution and economic growth. Agricultural growth in the Punjab was confined to its western part (Pakistan), but East Punjab (India) remained stagnant during the period between lOOf and 1032. The partition was a traumatic cxperience and a great challenge for the people of Punjab. A prerequisite for any development work is a workable infrastructure, for which the government and the people have to work together. In the second chapter, ‘Growth of agricultural output and inputs’, the authors concentrate on land use patterns, growth of agricultural implcments and machinery, and growth of output and input for the years 1050 ~ lV70. Statistics show that there was ;I great increase in numbers of electrical pumps and iron ploughs from I%1 to 1972 which is reflected in increased agricultural productivity. The number of working animals was red~lcetl and there was an increase in milch aninAs. Analysis has been done in terms of an aggregate production function assuming disaggregated technical change and perfectly competitive markets, The authors argue that economic growth WZIS achieved essentially by agricultural development based on inproved techniques of production, a process in which the state provided the basic rural infrastructure and the individual farmer responded vigorously. Trends in population change, fertilmigration. household ity. mortality,
LAND USE POLICY January
1986