Residential Ring
The market for new housing in and around Tokyo is huge. The current official housing plan for the Tokyo Metropolis, the demand for new and rebuilt rsidential units during the 15 years between 1986 and 2000 will be approximately 2.3 million houses. The inner Tokyo wards are poorly equipped with housing facilities and need improvement. The residential ring around the Tokyo area is more than just bedroom communities. Similar to many metropolitan areas worldwide, these suburbs have mixed functions which are in many cases self sufficient, containing more than residential functions. Historically the radial network pattern of roads set up by the Shogunate government caused suburbanization, and until most recently it is a continuing trend as train networks get more efficient and commuter traffic to and fro Tokyo is augmented.

Squeeze on Inner City Residential Areas:-
Interestingly enough the squeeze on inner city residential areas has been tremendous due to the expanding CBD and the redevelopment schemes. The landscape has changed with old "ma and pa" stores being replaced with retail chains, old houses giving way to single family units and the streets are getting busier with the new high rise apartment buildings taking over the cityscape. Open space is at a minimum and is sold at premium prices due to the scarcity. The inner city residents are complaing of congestion, noise pollution, small living quarters and scarcity of natural beauty in the center of the city.


Newly built residential areas are reflective of this type of architectural landscape
 
         
A modern house and apartment building
 
Several inner city residential areas have mixed land use planning
 
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