Setagaya Ward Research Articles

An analysis of factors contributing to household transmission of COVID-19—using data from active epidemiological investigations performed in the Setagaya ward of Tokyo, Japan

An analysis of factors contributing to household transmission of COVID-19—using data from active epidemiological investigations performed in the Setagaya ward of Tokyo, Japan

ANALYSIS ON SUPPORT PROGRAM WITH CONVERSION FROM VACANT HOUSES INTO COMMUNITY BASES: A CASE IN SETAGAYA WARD, TOKYO

The municipal government of Setagaya Ward established a consultation program for individual owners of vacant houses in July 2013 to convert them into useful places for the community. This service aims to match with owners of vacant houses and citizen groups such as non-profit organizations and has established 22 bases for the community in 10 years. The authors found that the majority of them are used for social welfare offering places for children, disabilities, or the elderly. These facts indicate the necessity of the role of the public sector’s program rather than private companies to promote the re-utilization of vacant houses into places of inclusionary use for the community.

Unveiling the Non-Linear Influence of Eye-Level Streetscape Factors on Walking Preference: Evidence from Tokyo

Promoting walking is crucial for sustainable development and fosters individual health and well-being. Therefore, comprehensive investigations of factors that make walking attractive are vital. Previous research has linked streetscapes at eye-level to walking preferences, which usually focuses on simple linear relationships, neglecting the complex non-linear dynamics. Additionally, the varied effects of streetscape factors across street segments and intersections and different street structures remain largely unexplored. To address these gaps, this study explores how eye-level streetscapes influence walking preferences in various street segments and intersections in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. Using street view data, an image survey, and computer vision algorithms, we measured eye-level streetscape factors and walking preferences. The Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model was then applied to analyze their non-linear relationships. This study identified key streetscape factors influencing walking preferences and uncovered non-linear trends within various factors, showcasing a variety of patterns, including upward, downward, and threshold effects. Moreover, our findings highlight the heterogeneity of the structural characteristics of street segments and intersections, which also impact the relationship between eye-level streetscapes and walking preferences. These insights can significantly inform decision-making in urban streetscape design, enhancing pedestrian perceptions.

A paradigm shift in the fences of a new play affordance city

ABSTRACT Social changes are reshaping play affordance patterns and redefining the concept of play space fences. This study explores this shift by examining four “childcare support bases” in Setagaya ward, Japan. We provided a historical overview of play affordances and explored how fences reflect the contemporary understanding of new play affordances. We categorized the play environment into new designated play spaces (NDPS) and carved-out play spaces (CPS). These were observed from the perspectives of both operators and users. We conducted four unstructured interviews to understand the operator’s viewpoint. From the user’s perspective, we interpreted fences perceived through social media phenomenologically, drawing on Merleau-Ponty’s concept of “perception through embodied experience.” The study sites in Setagaya ward encompass NDPS created and operated through new play affordances. Each NDPS forms a flexible cluster of play spaces by generating temporary CPS around it. Institutionalized play assistants facilitate an alliance between NDPS and CPS, acting as a non-physical fence permeable to the city and expandable through CPS. By reinterpreting fences in the context of new play affordances, we envision the integrated use of DPS and CPS in urban space planning, transcending the traditional conflict between them. This study offers a comprehensive examination of these concepts together.

Multi-skalarni pristup u proceni produkcije prostora Kitazawa zelenog pojasa u Tokiju

Contemporary Tokyo is a city that has lost its connection to its abundant moat and waterway system due to its uncontrolled urban growth and environmental negligence. Now, the myriad of culverts-turned greenways stands as reminiscent of that time. This paper examines the quality of space produced in the waterway's afterlife by adopting the Lefebvrian space production. To do so, it is first recognised that scales are an integral part of assessing space production due to the linear nature of the public element being examined. A framework is constructed to serve as a tool to 'read' the lived, conceived and perceived space in different dimensions of the greenway. Its structure comprises different attributes and sub-attributes that provide a descriptive meaning to each scale. The framework is then applied to the case study, Kitazawa Greenway, a locally beloved waterway-turned-greenway in Setagaya ward in Tokyo. It is concluded that the middle scale of the linear public element is where the predominantly lived space, thus lived quality, is generated. The perceived space is predominant on the microscale and the conceived space on the macro scale.

Trends in obesity and blood lipid abnormalities in school-age children in Japan.

Obesity in children is a public health concern in Japan. To evaluate the current state of the obesity problem and inform future directions, we aimed to provide an updated account of secular trends in the percentage of overweight (POW) children by gender and school grade, and evaluate changes in POW after participation in the obesity health screening. The current study utilized aggregated data from the Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, public elementary and middle school populations from 2009 to 2018. Data on the percentage of overweight ≥ 30% (POW-30) and percentage of abnormal blood test results were examined by year, gender, and school grade level. Individual-level data from 2015 to 2017 in children who participated in a follow-up obesity health screening were evaluated for changes in median POW. A decreasing trend in students with a POW-30 was observed from 2009 to 2011, with rates stabilizing thereafter. The highest proportions of POW-30 were observed in 2010 (4.8% in middle school boys; 2.8% in middle school girls). From third grade, the difference in percentage by gender appeared to get increasingly larger until the beginning of middle school. Among obesity health screening participants, abnormal blood tests for total cholesterol and triglycerides showed a slightly increasing trend over time, and changes in POW after screening were greatest for middle school students. Increases in obesity were not observed in Setagaya Ward public school students since 2010, but disparities exist by gender and grade level, suggesting that tailored intervention strategies may be useful to optimize aspects of the obesity health screening program.

Lunch Interrupted! COVID-19 and Japan’s School Meals

On April 22,2020 a crowd gathered at the Fujikata Racetrack in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture, Japan With the anxiety of the COVID-19 pandemic swirling about them, citizens ventured from their homes donning facemasks Once at the racetrack they formed a "socially distant" line and waited for the gates to open Residents were not waiting to see a race Rather, they had come to do their grocery shopping While nearby city markets and green grocers were still open for business, these citizens had come in hopes of snagging a bargain and also supporting their community This was not your typical farmers' market the produce was gathered from unfulfilled school lunch orders With schoolyards shuttered due to the pandemic, the fresh ingredients ordered months ago had nowhere to go, and rather than let the food go to waste, the community and local government intervened Even with the schools closed, school lunch helped to unite a community

Analyzing the state of high-density areas in Japan after redevelopment projects

Japan has many high-density residential areas that are prone to disasters. Therefore, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism has conducted various projects to improve these areas. Housing environment issues have also become a major issue. Consequently, this study considers the activities in the redevelopment project and the issues that emerge afterward in the Setagaya ward (Tokyo), where the high-density area redevelopment was conducted. A result is the increase of young people and households in the area although the number of old people is still increasing. However, in the Setagaya area, a comparison of the population density and the green area ratio in 2011 and 2016 shows that the green area ratio increased although the population density in 2016 was higher than in 2011. This occurred due to the redevelopment of the ruins of the National Children’s Hospital into a condominium in 2008 and the efforts to achieve a green rate area ratio of 33% in Setagaya Ward by 2032. Green space has various functions in cities including in disaster prevention. As Japan is prone to disasters, the provision of green space is crucial.

Mobile phone GPS data in urban bicycle-sharing: Layout optimization and emissions reduction analysis

As a representation of smart and sustainable city development, bicycle-sharing system is one of the hottest topics in the domains of transportation, public health, urban planning, and so on. In this paper, a model is proposed for analyzing the potential reduction in emissions associated with the adoption of a bicycle-sharing system. Methods are proposed for extracting human travel modes from mobile phone GPS trajectories, together with a geometry-based probability model, to support particle swarm optimization. A comparison study is implemented to analyze the model’s computational efficiency. Based on the resulting optimal layout for the network of bicycle docking stations, and considering demand uncertainty, a multi-scenario integer linear programming model is proposed to optimize rebalancing procedures (i.e., moving bicycles between docking stations according to demand), to determine the detailed design-scale information required. Mobile phone GPS trajectories from approximately 3.7 million local mobilities are used to construct a case study for Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. The results show that, compared with the previous methods, the optimal layout solved by the proposed method could reduce emissions by a further 6.4% and 4.4%. With an increase from 30 to 90 bicycle stations, the adoption of bicycle-sharing can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 3.1–3.8 thousand tonnes. However, emission reduction will maximally decrease by 21.26% after offset by bicycles production and rebalancing-generated emission.

169. Targets for Optimizing Oral Antibiotic Prescriptions for Pediatric Outpatients in Japan

BackgroundIn Japan, 92% of antibiotics consumed are oral agents most of which are prescribed at outpatient clinics. Universal health insurance and the full reimbursement program for children enables to patients to be treated and obtain prescriptions without any charge in the majority of institutions. Thus, it is possible that unnecessary antibiotic prescription for viral illnesses is common due to free medical access in Japan. As part of a national project to formulate an effective method of antimicrobial stewardship for pediatric outpatients, the aim of our study was to identify key targets for optimizing oral antibiotic use in children by analyzing what factors are related to their prescription in three pilot districts.MethodsWe analyzed data on oral antimicrobial prescription patterns for children aged <16 years in three districts (Setagaya ward, Fuchu city, and Kobe city) using national database in Japan. Oral prescriptions were categorized according to their class, spectrum, clinic specialization, and type of clinical setting. The antibiotic spectrum was categorized as narrow, broad, or ultra-broad.ResultsIn total 13,869,332 antibiotic prescriptions were collected for analysis. The proportions of narrow, broad, and ultra-broad spectrum antibiotics were 12.4%, 73.3%, and 14.2%, respectively. The proportions of narrow and ultra-broad spectrum antibiotics were 10.8% and 15.4% in primary care clinics and 23.4% and 5.4% in hospital, respectively. Otolaryngologists prescribed the most antibiotics to children at a rate 1.3 times higher than pediatricians (Figure 1). Dermatologists prescribed 58.7% of all tetracyclines (Figure 2). Three classes of third-generation cephalosporins, quinolones, and penems were prescribed mostly by pediatricians and otolaryngologists.ConclusionUltra-broad spectrum antibiotics were prescribed more often in primary care clinics. As the use of specific oral antibiotics differ according to the specialty of each clinic, targeting the clinics specialty and the antibiotic agents used may be key to optimizing oral antibiotic use for pediatric outpatients. Figure 1: Day of therapy in the hospitals and clinics Figure 2: Ratio of clinics and hospitals in each type of antibiotics.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

MaaS in Bike-Sharing: Smart Phone GPS Data Based Layout Optimization and Emission Reduction Potential Analysis

As a representation of smart and green city development, bike-sharing system is one of the hottest topic in the fields of transportation, public health, urban planning, and so on. With the development of Mobility as a Service (MaaS), emerging technologies such as mobile data mining give some new solutions for optimizing bike-sharing system and predicting the emission reduction. Here, we propose a bike-sharing layout optimization and emission reduction potential analysis structure under the concept of MaaS. A human travel mode detection method and a geometry-based probability model are proposed to support the particle swarm optimization process. We implement a comparison study to analyze the computational efficiency. Taking Setagaya ward, Tokyo as the study case with about 3 million GPS trajectories, the result shows that with the increase of station number from 30 to 90, the adoption of bike-sharing system can reduce about 3.1-3.8 thousand tonnes of CO2 emission.

『新修世田谷区史』(上・下巻・附編)『世田谷区史料』(第一∼四集)

『新修世田谷区史』(上・下巻・附編)『世田谷区史料』(第一∼四集)

A creative city planning framework by a private company: Case study of the development of Futako-Tamagawa by Tokyu

While most studies of the creative city focus on the policy of government or local government, we study the creative city framework led by a private company. Concretely, we study the creative city planning framework by Tokyu Corporation on the Futako-Tamagawa area in Setagaya Ward in Tokyo. Based on the three “T’s” framework, which was advocated by Florida, we examine how the private company develops a creative city. Moreover, we address how the government and local government support it. Thereby, we reveal the actual conditions of the private company work on the creative city and suggest a private company strategy and a governmental measure of urban development.

保育園での子どもの遊び声に関する騒音測定調査

A survey was conducted to gather data for an assessment of the vocal noise level from children playing in nursery schools or other similar facilities. Ten nursery schools were surveyed; 5 locations in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo and 5 in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture. The surveys considered two cases: the noise levels while the children were playing in the yard, and those while they were playing inside. Measurements were taken over 10-minute intervals and the variables analyzed were equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level ( called equivalent continuous noise level ), maximum noise level, percentile noise level, and frequency (1/1 and 1/3 octave bands). Additionally, at the first nursery school surveyed, a continuous measurement of the noise level was conducted for 24 hours to examine the conditions of measurements and the length of the analysis period. The noise level was found to be approximately 20 dB higher while the children were playing in the yard or in the pool than during other times of day, and that was about 30 dB louder than at night. In the nursery schools where the measurements were taken, the noise levels were also about 5 to 7 dB higher while the children were entering in the morning, which was not a dramatic difference. The equivalent continuous noise level measured 10 m from the center of a group of children playing in the nursery school yard was about 62 dB when there were 10 individuals and 74 dB when there were 100 individuals. However, it was possible for the noise to momentarily reach levels over 90 dB. The mean level of the vocal noise also increased by about 10 dB during music classes and when a microphone was being used. The frequency analysis of vocal noise from children indicated peaks of around 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz. There were linear decreases from these peaks at other frequencies. These values were higher than the pitches observed from conversations involving only adults. The effectiveness of a noise barrier installed within the nursery school grounds was estimated using the above results. Four cases were considered, where the height of the wall was varied from 2.0 m to 3.5 m. The wall was estimated to reduce the noise by 15 － 20 dB, which was considered to be sufficiently effective.

教育施設における用途別エネルギー需要に関する調査研究

In recent years, energy consumption of the civilian sector has been increased. And after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Japanese government has intensified the effort to safeguards against disasters by creating smart community which is a high energy efficiency and a considering the BCP (Business Continuity Plan). To plan the energy efficient smart communities, it is necessary to predict the energy demand accurately in the community. There are many researches which investigate the energy consumption, but there isn't any reserch for energy demand of educational facilities. The purpose of this study is to clarify the energy demand rate for each usage in educational facilities which are necessary to plan smart community by electricity and gas consumption measurement. The subject for facilities of this study is six schools which include four municipal elementary schools and two municipal junior high schools in Setagaya ward, Tokyo (Table 1). In this report, we examined the energy consumption and energy demand rate for each usage from the monthly energy consumption data in the past three years, the annual consumption data of energy and the information from the questionnaire survey. In order to organize the entire energy demand in each school, we collected the monthly energy usage of power and gas from the detailed billing. Gas meters are equipped separately for kitchen, air-conditioning and hot water supply. And in order to analyze the energy demand pattern, we conducted the annual measurement of power per minute and recording of gas meters per hour for two days in every month on weekday. The result of organizing the energy consumption data indicates the tendency of larger energy consumption at the schools has large number of students and the newly-built schools (Figure 2). And five schools of six is evaluated as the average energy consumption of the school of DECC energy database (Figure 3). The result of organizing the energy demand rate of the lighting and outlet, cooling and heating in the educational facility is confirmed less than “offices”, “hospitals”, “hotels” and “store” of bibliography 1 (Figure 7-14). The energy demand rate except for the hot water supply is equivalent amount of demand rate of the "Housing". The amount of energy used for hot water supply is very low as described in the preceding bibliography 5. The energy demand rate for lighting and outlet tends to increase in proportion to the completion year. And the energy demand rate for heating and cooling tends to increase in proportion to the total floor area. And the energy demand rate for hot water supply of the school tends to increase in proportion to the number of students (Figure15 to 18). These results show the energy demand rate for each usage of yearly, monthly and hourly that can be used for demand forecast to plan smart community. It is possible to simulate the existing or new elementary and junior high schools energy demand by these data (Table 4, 6 and 7). On a final note, this study is intended for municipal elementary and junior high schools in limited areas, so further research is regarded to confirm the accuracy of the results.

Antenatal Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression at 20 Weeks Gestation in a Japanese Sample: Psychosocial Perspectives from a Cohort Study in Tokyo.

BackgroundPrevalence of postnatal depression (PND) is high (Western countries, 10–15%; Japan, 17%). PND can cause parenting impairment and affect family health (e.g. child behaviors, cognitive development and physical health). This study aimed to reveal the risk factors of PND during the pregnancy period in a Japanese sample, and to identify the psychosocial risk factors of PND that should be appended to existing obstetric interview sheets. A cohort study with a Japanese sample was conducted.MethodsAll 14 obstetrics hospitals in the Setagaya ward, Tokyo, Japan, participated in this study. Pregnant women who booked their delivery between December 2012 and May 2013 were enrolled. Data used for this study were collected at 20 weeks gestation, a few days and one month postnatal. The questionnaires consisted of psychosocial factors and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). To identify PND risk factors, multivariate analyses were performed.ResultsA total of 1,775 women participated in this study. Eventually, the data of 1,133 women were used for the multivariate analyses. The demonstrated significant risk factors include EPDS score, primipara, “a perceived lack of family cohesion”, “current physical illness treatment” and “current psychiatric illness treatment”.ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of mental health screening using psychological measures during the pregnancy period. In addition, family environment, parity, physical and psychiatric illness should be paid attention by professionals in maternal and child health. The results also suggest that mothers’ feelings of developing their families should be supported.

東京都世田谷区におけるコミュニティサイクルの利用特性

東京都世田谷区におけるコミュニティサイクルの利用特性

빈집을 활용한 지역 커뮤니티 거점 만들기 - 세타가야구의 지역공생의집을 대상으로 -

The purpose of this study was to analyze the method of utilization of empty houses in Setagaya ward according to the project share house. We analyzed the recent policies and projects related to utilization of empty houses in Japan and have seen the process of support to form the community core utilizing empty houses. The appropriate utilization for empty houses depends on the owners' preference, relativity within local actors as well as local regulation and policy suitable for the condition of empty houses. We could find out the strategy of this project as follows: incremental process on investigation and location on empty houses, the localized and specialized program suitable for local needs, private-public partnership between Local NPOs and ward agencies and the the role of leadership through NPO activities.

Land cover classification of urban area using object-based image analysis A case study of Setagaya Ward, Tokyo

Land cover classification of urban area using object-based image analysis A case study of Setagaya Ward, Tokyo

A DISCUSSION ON EVALUATING INDICATORS OF THE SENSE OF PHYSICAL OPPRESSION AND THE SENSE OF OPENNESS USING IMAGING EXPERIMENTS

This is a study on identifying three indicators to evaluate the following senses of physical oppression and of openness in urban spaces-configuration factors, solid angles, and space quantity. These senses of physical oppression and openness were evaluated by students of architecture for images of 3DCG modeling streets in the Sangenjaya area of Tokyo's Setagaya ward. Heights of special buildings on 3DCG modeling images are changed and fixed images toward the special buildings and moving images showing the whole a street were evaluated. The images were analyzed using the relationship between the three indicators and the senses of physical oppression and of openness influenced by changes of buildings' height. The results show that first, three indicators show high correlation for evaluating those senses of physical oppression and of openness for both fixed and moving images. Second, as the spaces evaluated expand from part to whole, the correlation of solid angle are higher than the correlation of configuration factor and the result shows that solid angles connotes the concept of space quantity. Therefore, the solid angle is suggested as the most reasonable indicator for evaluating the senses of physical oppression and of openness in urban spaces.