Transitioning Musashidai, Japan Toward an Outdoor Recreation Economy to Help Combat Population Shrinkage
by Mistaya Smith, MCP’25
Project Questions:
Economic Transition: How can Musashidai utilize its proximity to Tokyo and natural amenities to better serve current residents while also combatting population shrinkage through the attraction of more permanent residents?
Mistaya Smith
Case Studies: How might successful case studies of outdoor recreation economies in the U.S. and Japan inform Musashidai’s own economic transition toward outdoor recreation?
Musashidai Background:
– Suburb of Tokyo built by Tokyo Land Corporation in the 1977 for young families who wanted to commute to jobs in Central Tokyo on 1 hour express train
– Enmasse retirement of neighborhood workforce triggered removal of express train to Tokyo
– Original populace is aging and most still own their homes while living with children or in long term care facilities
– Young people do not want to move here because the commute is long to Tokyo
– Even for those who work remotely, there are few rental units and young people can not afford houses
– Uncertainty over future in which elderly die, their children do not want to live here, and more homes become vacant
Inspiring a Cultural Shift:
Through improvements to outdoor recreation access for current and future Musashidai residents, this proposal primarily aims to create a local economic development strategy and also a means of combating local population shrinkage. Beyond these outcomes, it is likely that this transition will also create a cultural shift and build a community that cares for and connects more with their outdoor surroundings. Drawing on the case studies, areas like Vermont, Colorado, and the Sierras are filled with people who chose to live in more rural areas, with better outdoor access as opposed to cities. In making these decisions, these populations also often build their communities around the outdoors. This same phenomenon can have positive impacts for Musashidai such as community trail maintenance and grassroots efforts to further improve outdoor access and conserve Musashidai’s natural beauty.