Urbanization of Utsunomiya

Abstract

The urban district of Utsunomiya has been remarkably enlarged since Meiji Era. First, military sites in Meiji Era contributed to the expansion in the western and the northwestern parts of Utsunomiya. Then, the southern and the eastern parts were rapidly built up by the establihsment of large munition factories built during the World War II. More urbanization was seen in the southern than in the eastern part because of larger factories in the former. Thirdly, since 1960, the development of industrial areas and residential areas, as well as the construction of small and medium size factories in the suburbs have worked together for the expansion of Utsunomiya.The first and the second steps of urbanization took place on Takaragi Terrace which extends from the north to the south in the suburbs of Utsunomiya. The third step, especially shows us a good exmaple of a close relation between the city development and landforms.Generally speaking, urban districts are slow to expand into alluvial lowlands. There are river terraces formed by several rivers flowing to the south in the sububrbs of Utsunomiya. Remakrable urbanization is seen on the terraces to the east and the north of Utsunomiya. Large factor sites accompanied with residential areas will result in the urbainization of the eastern part in near future.Some people consider that the industrial development of Utsunomiya is nothing but the outer margin of Keihin Industrial District. The development of residential areas in Utsunomiya, however, can hardly be regarded to characterize this city as a residential satellite of Tokyo.