The relationship between urban structure and waterways in Edo, old Tokyo

Abstract

[EN] The purpose of this study is to reveal the relationship between the urban structure and the waterway in Edo, the old Tokyo. The main findings are: 1) The city of Edo was expanded over the river by changing the route of river waters, and limiting the affected area during times of flooding. 2) The canals in the low city were used as water transport between the city and the farmlands. The urban design of the low city was closely related with the canals. 3) According to the drinking water way, there were some hierarchies between the city and the farming villages, warriors and merchants area, etc. 4) The sewerage was not so dirty, because it was consisted of rainwater and gray water. Rather, the sewerage had seemed as a charm against evil. Therefore the drainage channels were used as the boundary between residences, residence and street, towns, and town and farmland. Not only Edo, but also many cities in the world were formed by relating with waterway. In these days, it is important that not only promoting some project of the waterway which is suited as the actual needs like attracting the tourist or creating the beautiful landscape of agriculture, but also rethinking about the waterway which has related with the urban structure or the lifestyle of the citizens in every city.