Getting to Know Urban Wasteland—A Look at Vacant Lands as Urban Green Space in Japan

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Urban spaces are dotted with various interstitial spatial areas from very narrow spaces between buildings or structures to huge spaces between parcels. These in-between spaces are filled with plants that represent the surrounding nature, partly or entirely. In urban areas with past human interference, can we thus consider or recognize this quasi-nature as urban green space? This research begins on the premise that the role of urban green space is important in supporting the combined well-being of urban residents. We thus review the potential of vacant lands as urban wastelands in the context of the state of affairs in Japan, which is undergoing a paradigm shift in urban green policy. We surveyed Ichikawa City (Japan) as an example of a city that has already been or is currently being urbanized. The survey combined field surveys and perception surveys to identify vacant lands and to understand residents’ perceptions. The quantity of vacant lands observed corresponds to about 1.43% of Ichikawa City. Residents with higher exposure to traditional green space in their daily lives were more aware of the existence of vacant lands. In addition, respondents who see vacant lands as an urban green space show a positive and active attitude toward existing urban green space and urban nature. Moreover, they respond more strongly to the issue of the non-sustainability of vacant lands than to the issue of private property. As a result, vacant land may have a high tendency to be perceived by residents as an intimate, local space, suggesting usability. We finally highlight that vacant lands can serve an alternative or supplementary role in cities with limitations to creating new urban green space.