Hari Srinivas
The fundamental law that governs planning processes in Japan is the City Planning Act. This Act, together with other related laws function as a unified system in effect urban planning. Essentially, there are three groups of law/acts that effect urban planning. These are:
- Group A: Laws of Higher Authorities
The laws off higher categories which regulate city planning include those that determine planning of national highways and land use at national level. For example, the alignment of roads approved in city planning are decided according to the plan of national roads.
- Group B: Related Laws
Adjustment with land use outside urban areas is ensured by synchronizing city plans with other laws. Of particular importance is the adjustment of urban land use (City Planning Area) with agricultural land use. Formally, the jurisdiction of City Planning Law is decided by classifying agricultural land use and urban land use in the National Land Utilizations Planning Law. It is determined locally by interactive adjustment of related laws, based on which higher ranks will be altered accordingly.
- Group C: Individual Laws
Separate individual laws regulate the contents of each city plans, with respect to land use zoning, urban development projects and urban facilities.
Besides the City Planning Act, the other relevant laws include:
- Groups A and B: Laws of Higher Authorities and related laws
- Major acts (national and regional levels):
- Agricultural Land Act
- Chubu Region Development Act
- Comprehensive National Land Development Act
- Development of Farming Promotion Areas Act
- Forest Act
- Industrial Development Area Act
- Industrial Location Control Act
- Industrial Relation Act
- Kinki Region Development Act
- Land Expropriation Act
- Local Tax Act
- National Capital Region Development Act
- National Land Utilization Planning Act
- New Industrial City Act
- Pollution Control Act
- Promoting Increase of Public Lands Act
- Urban Development Loan Act
- Group C: Individual Laws
- Land Use Zoning:
- Agricultural Land Reservation in Urban Promotion Areas Act
- Building Standard Act
- Cultural Properties Protection Act
- Distribution Centre Act
- Port and Harbour Act
- Special Measure for Preservation of Historic and Natural Features in Ancient Cities Act
- Urban Green Space Conservation Act
- Urban Development Projects:
- Land Readjustment Act
- Law Concerning Development of Suburban Development Districts and Satellite Towns
- New Residential Built-up Area Development Act
- Urban Renewal Act
- Urban Facilities:
- Canal Act
- Local and Private Railways Act
- Motor Vehicle Terminal Act
- Parking Place Act
- River Act
- Road Act
- Sewerage Act
- Slaughterhouse Act
- Tramways Act
- Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Act
- Wholesale Market Act
- Other
