Historical Development Process of Gateways in the Modern Nagoya Region

Abstract

A gateway is a central location where people and cargo gather for the purpose of long-distance transport. Covering a wide variety of transportation methods, these gateways include ports, railway stations, and airports, which are essential for social and economic development. In the Nagoya region, which is the third largest metropolitan region in Japan, Nagoya Station was born when a major national railway was built after the Meiji Restoration. Thus, an indispensable gateway for the development of a modern city was born. About 20 years later, the Port of Nagoya was completed. Ports that handle the inflow and outflow of a wide range of goods supported the industrial development in the hinterland. In addition, the international airport began to function after World War II. These gateways are working to connect the Nagoya region with other parts of the country and the world. Furthermore, in order to respond to globalization, a new airport was opened at sea in 2005, further strengthening the ties between the Nagoya region and overseas. These three gateways play a role in supporting transportation in the Nagoya metropolitan region over a wide area. In order for this region to develop further, the capacity of the gateways must be enhanced. By examining the historical process of gateway development, we can gain a deeper understanding of how cities and transportation have evolved.