１．Its Birth
Pursuit of a livable town
Following World War II, the Japanese who had been living in its then colonies returned to Japan where many houses had been lost during the war. In addition, as the country began to show rapid economic growth and industrialization in around 1955, a massive population began flooding into large cities in search of work. This created serious problems of overcrowding and lack of privacy as people were obliged to live in small dwellings together with large families. From the point of view of urban planning, suburban sprawl could not be left uncontrolled either.
The Osaka Prefectural Government decided on a policy to construct over one million dwelling units. As part of the priority measures, it launched the Senri New Town project on the Senri Hills in the northern part of the prefecture, in order to create a good living environment through the provision of a large number of low cost quality dwellings and housing sites. This was the first large-scale new town project in Japan.
Japan’s first large-scale new town project
Following a preparatory study beginning in about 1956, implementation of this project was approved in 1958. The master plan, initially based on 2,500 hectares, was revised to 1,160 hectares for the final plan in 1960, in accordance with the prefectural finances. The construction began in 1961 and the first residents moved into the Satakedai unit in 1962. Meanwhile, legislation concerning the development of new towns was introduced.
| Location | Suita City and Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture |
| Operating body | Public Enterprise Bureau, Osaka Prefectural Government |
| Developed area | 1,160ha |
| Planned population | 150,000 |
| Number of dwellings | 37,330 |
| District/Neighborhood unit | Suita City: 2 districts/8 neighborhood units Toyonaka City: 1 district/4 neighborhood units |
| District size per city | Suita City: 791 ha/approx. 100,000 residents Toyonaka City: 369 ha/approx. 50,000 residents |
Photo courtesy of the Osaka Prefectural Government
２．Planning
A planned city based on the neighborhood unit theory
In Senri New Town, a master plan was first formulated, and then roads, railways, parks, schools, retail shops and other elements were provided both comprehensively and systematically based on the neighborhood unit theory. This was an entirely different approach from the old urban development. While bringing together the wisdom of Japan, the plan incorporated many advanced case studies of new town projects of the West.
【Senri Housing Project Development Plan】
Source: Construction of Senri New Town, published by the Osaka Prefectural Government
Districts and neighborhood units
The entire site was divided into three districts; south, north and center, which were subdivided by main roads into a total of 12 neighborhood units (primary school districts), named by either ending with “dai” or beginning and ending with “Shinsenri/machi” respectively, in which Neighborhood Centers and parks were allocated. The neighborhood units consisted of 60 to 100 hectares each. The neighborhood unit theory systematized by the American, Clarence Perry in the 1920s, is one of the concepts that encouraged the construction of 20th century new towns.
Diverse mix of housing types
With the aim of creating harmonious communities consisting of various and different residents, all types of dwelling were provided including detached houses, collective housing (consisting of public rental units by the Osaka prefectural/municipal governments/Osaka Prefectural Housing Corporation/Japan Housing Corporation (present Urban Renaissance Agency), and public/private units for sale), as well as company housing. Allocating collective housing in the center of each neighborhood unit and detached houses on its periphery, it was designed to create a townscape where residents benefit from quick access to key facilities.
Rich green spaces and safety
Out of the total area of 1,160 hectares, 42% is residential, of which the detached houses and collective housing ratio is about the same. Abundant space was allocated to public spaces such as roads and parks, especially parks and other green areas, which occupy approximately 21% of the total area. In order to protect the environment, the entire New Town site is enclosed by a surrounding green zone, while every district and neighborhood unit is dotted with parks. This lavish amount of vegetation is the strikingly unique feature of Senri New Town, exceeding by far that of collective housing complexes built before it and the new towns that followed it.
Sources: Materials prepared by the Senri New Town Regeneration Liaison
Council for the “1st Study Committee for Regeneration of Senri New Town”
Another feature is that the traffic lines of pedestrians and automotive vehicles are separated as much as possible to maintain the safety of residents. Enclosing open spaces with buildings, while making good use of the varied topography of its hilly land form, the Radburn Layout was introduced in which cul-de-sacs running off the main roads were planned throughout as service areas, providing residents with spacious and quiet open spaces.
Photo courtesy of the Osaka Prefectural Government
３．Transition
History unique to the new town
The construction of Senri New Town took only eight years amid the rapid economic growth period from 1962 to 1970, and following its completion, similar young nuclear families moved in. Simultaneously with its completion, the year 1970 saw Expo ’70 held on a neighboring site, while the transportation and environment in this area was improved, making the name Senri very famous. Many more new towns were constructed throughout Japan based on the model of Senri New Town.
Senri New Town was thus loved by most of its residents who continued to live there without moving elsewhere, despite the limited space of each dwelling. This however resulted in a successive polarization of the original residents’ generation. In the early years, with a rapid increase in the child population, there was a shortage of schools, and when this stage was over, the grown up second generation moved out while their parents stayed. As a result, vacancies in school classrooms increased while the improvement of facilities for the elderly became imperative. Although such generational polarization is a unique phenomenon of the Japanese new towns overall, it was particularly evident in Senri New Town. This is because the construction of new towns following Senri New Town slowed down during the oil-shock period in the 1970s, which contributed to a leveling out of the generation of new residents.
Population
Since its peak of approximately 130,000 in 1975, the population of Senri New Town continued to decrease and was less than 90,000 at the time of the national census in 2005. The number of households has remained more or less unchanged since 1980, while the number per household has decreased. The aging rate began to soar in about 1990 and reached 30% in 2011, higher than the entire Osaka Prefecture average.
Housing
Many of the original detached houses were rebuilt at about the time of the so-called bubble economy in the late 1980s. The collective housing began its rebuilding when some of the company housing units were sold following the collapse of the bubble economy, and became private condominiums. From 2005 onwards, major rebuilding rapidly increased in both housing for sale and rent.
Commerce
As many residents started to drive to large outside shopping facilities, the hollowing-out phenomenon advanced especially in the Neighborhood Centers, resulting in the withdrawal of their key retail shops and an increase in the number of vacant stores.
Photos courtesy of the Osaka Prefectural Government and OKUI Takeshi
４．Regeneration
The front-runner at all times
While Senri New Town enjoyed glorious attention as Japan’s first new town, it was also the first one to face many problems such as a declining birth rate and aging population. Thus it began to address its regeneration ahead of others. Although partial renewal had been carried out on a constant basis, it was in the 1990s when a full-scale revitalization of core facilities such as the District Centers began. Discussions over rebuilding of the collective housing units also began at approximately the same time, and especially since about the year 2000 when the 40th Anniversary of Senri New Town was approaching, it became an official task for which various ideas and guidelines were gradually formulated by the cities of Suita and Toyonaka together with their citizens. In 2007, Senri New Town Indicators for Regeneration were formulated in collaboration with Suita City, Toyonaka City, the Urban Renaissance Agency, Osaka Prefectural Housing Corporation, and Osaka Prefecture Town Management Foundation. By placing emphasis on the open atmosphere typical of new towns and taking advantage of its good location, the path was laid to attract new residents. This expedited the rebuilding of old collective housing complexes and construction of private condominiums, contributing to a slight increase in its overall population including the number of children.
Efforts to improve our town
Neighborhood Centers, by utilizing their vacant store spaces for community-related and life support facilities, have great potential to play a new role as the core for ‘the walkable town’. With the strong resident attachment to this town, activities of the community associations and residents’ groups are very vigorous. In parallel with the aging original residents, young families have returned to the areas where the rebuilding of collective housing has advanced. Collaboration between the young and old is the theme of Senri New Town.
Senri New Town is still an experimental city, and its regeneration continues to inspire new towns both in Japan and other Asian countries. “The first new town” is and will always be “the first new town”.
Photos courtesy of the Osaka Prefectural Government and HATA Tomoya
History
| 1958 | Senri New Town development project became official. | |
| 1960 | Master plan completed. |  |
| 1961 | Groundbreaking ceremony held. | |
| 1962 | Occupancy began in the Satakedai unit, marking the opening of Senri New Town. |  |
| 1963 | Occupancy began in the Takanodai and Tsukumodai units. Hankyu Senri Line between Senriyama and Shinsenriyama (present Minamisenri) stations opened (the first railway access to Senri New Town). |  |
| 1964 | Occupancy began in the Furuedai and Fujishirodai units. |  |
| 1965 | Occupancy began in Aoyamadai. Minami District Center specialty retail stores opened. | |
| 1966 | Occupancy began in the Shinsenri-kitamachi and Shinsenri-higashimachi units. |  |
| 1967 | Shinsenri Hospital (present Saiseikai Senri Hospital) opened. Hankyu Senri Line between Minami-Senri and Kita-Senri stations opened (the world’s first automatic ticket gate introduced at Kita-Senri Station). Kita District Center specialty retail stores opened. Occupancy began in the Momoyamadai and Takemidai units. |  |
| 1968 | Occupancy began in the Shinsenri-nishimachi and Shinsenri-minamimachi units. Osaka University began to move to the Suita Campus. | |
| 1969 | Population exceeded 100,000. |  |
| 1970 | Japan World Exposition (Expo ’70) held. Kita-Osaka Kyuko Line, Shin-Midosuji Blvd. and the Osaka-chuo-kanjo-sen Belt Line opened. Chuo District Center opened. Senri New Town development project completed. |  |
| 1971 | Expo ’70 Commemorative Park opened. | |
| 1972 | Selcy entertainment complex opened. (The ban on resale began to be lifted starting with detached house plots following 10 year occupancy.) |  |
| 1973 | The ‘toilet paper panic’ due to the oil crisis started in Senri New Town, and spread throughout Japan. Hankyu Senri Line Yamada Station opened. The first primary school not included in the master plan opened to accommodate a rapid increase in the number of children. Development of the surrounding area expanded with the apartment construction boom. |  |
| 1974 | (As private bathrooms increased, the use of public baths in the Neighboring Centers began to decline.) | |
| 1975 | Population peaked at 128,993. |  |
| 1977 | National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center opened. National Museum of Ethnology opened in the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park. |  |
| 1978 | One-room extension of prefectural housing began. (Libraries, community halls and gymnasiums began to be opened one after another.) |  |
| 1982 | Bamboo forest in Senri Hills selected as one of Japan’s 100 best natural sceneries. |  |
| 1990 | Senchu PAL opened (phase1). Osaka Monorail between Senri-Chuo and Minami-Ibaraki stations opened. | |
| 1991 | Senchu PAL opened (phase2). (Company housing began to be rebuilt as private condominiums, and rebuilding of collective housing complexes began to be considered.) |  |
| 1993 | Osaka University Hospital moved to a neighboring area. | |
| 1994 | Dios Kitasenri commercial complex opened. |  |
| 1997 | AZAL Momoyamadai commercial complex opened. Population decreased to less than 100,000. | |
| 2002 | Senri New Town Citizens Forum held. |  |
| 2004 | Garden Mall Minamisenri commercial complex opened. | |
| 2005 | Population of 65 years and over exceeded 25%. | |
| 2006 | Senri New Town Exibition held (Suita City Museum). |  |
| 2007 | Senri New Town Indicators for Regeneration formulated. Population bottomed out at 89,212. |  |
| 2008 | Senri Culture Center “Collabo”, Toyonaka City opened. |  |
| 2011 | Redevelopment of Senri Chuo District Center completed. | |
| 2012 | Senri New Town Plaza (Senri New Town Information Center), Suita City opened. 50th Anniversary of Senri New Town Senri Candle Road started. |  |
| 2015 | SENRITO Yomiuri culture complex opened. | |
| 2017 | Water Battle event started. Senchu Shibafu Night Theater started. |  |
| 2018 | Senri New Town Indicators for Regeneration 2018ver. formulated. Northern Osaka Earthquake hit. |  |
| 2019 | Redevelopment of Senri Minami District Center completed. Population exceeded 100,000 again. |  |
| 2020 | 50th Anniversary of Senri New Town development project completed, Chuo District Center & Kita-Osaka Kyuko Line opened, Expo ’70 held. 30th Anniversary of Osaka Monorail opened. |  |
Photos courtesy of the Osaka Prefectural Government, KOKUSAI SOGO KIKAKU, Suita City Museum, Senri Citizens Forum, Hankyu Corporation,
AKAI Sunao, IIJIMA Yukiko, UBUKI Tamihiko, OKUI Takeshi, KITADA Junzo, TABATA Chizuru, NAGAI Toshio and MATSUURA Hiromasa.
MAP
Minami District (Suita City)
1. Minami District Center
With the Hankyu Minamisenri Station (opened in 1963) as its core, it is located in the oldest part of Senri New Town, and served as its entrance until the Chuo District Center was built in 1970. Redevelopment has been underway since about 2000.
4. Senri New Town Plaza
Housing a Suita City government branch, it also has the Senri New Town Information Center on the 2nd floor. The Plaza serves as a base for residents’ activities.
A. Tsukumodai
Occupancy began in 1963 (125 ha). Located in the center of the Minami District, with the Minami District Center and Senri Minami Park. The essential services required for new towns are centered in the 7-chome area in the north.
B. Takanodai
Occupancy began in 1963 (94 ha). It is the second oldest neighborhood unit after Satakedai.
In the Takamachiike Pond area, the New Town’s perimeter green zone, one can enjoy seeing Himebotaru fireflies in May.
C. Satakedai
Occupancy began in 1962 (87 ha). The first neighborhood unit to receive residents, it represents the site as a pioneer for Japan’s new towns. Regeneration including the rebuilding of collective housing complexes is underway.
D. Momoyamadai
Occupancy began in 1967 (79 ha). Named after peach (“momo” in Japanese), which used to be one of the specialty produce of Senri Hills along with bamboo shoots. This unit enjoys the quickest access to Osaka City center.
E. Takemidai
Occupancy began in 1967 (53 ha). The smallest neighborhood unit in area among the twelve. The so-called ‘star-house’ high-rise landmark building in front of Minamisenri Station serves as a symbol of the entrance to Senri New Town.
Kita District (Suita City)
2. Kita District Center
With the Hankyu Kitasenri Station (opened in 1967) as its core, it is used by many students as an entrance to the Osaka University campus and by many who live in eastern Minoh City situated north of the New Town.
F. Aoyamadai
Occupancy began in 1965 (97 ha). Located on the highest hill of the New Town, it has many vantage points, and the view of the collective housing complex on the slope spreading north west from Kitasenri Station is impressive.
G. Fujishirodai
Occupancy began in 1964 (139 ha). This, the largest neighborhood unit of the New Town includes the vast Senri Kita Park and the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, and is adjacent to the Osaka University campus and Expo ’70 Commemorative Park.
H. Furuedai
Occupancy began in 1964 (120 ha). This is the only neighborhood unit that includes an old village of more than ten dwellings and that maintains a small shrine. It is the unit first developed in the Kita District.
Chuo District (Toyonaka City)
3. Chuo District Center
With Senri-Chuo Station, Kita-Osaka Kyuko Line (opened in 1970) as its core, it is the largest District Center of Senri New Town, attracting many users also from outside as the new urban core of northern Osaka i.e. Greater Senri. It has a business quarter on the west side of Shin-Midosuji Blvd.
5. Senri Culture Center “Collabo”
Housing a Toyonaka City government branch, it provides the Toyonaka City Senri Library on the 4th floor focusing on informational materials of Senri New Town. Collabo serves as a base for residents’ activities.
6. Observation deck (Senri Chuo Park)
Situated on a hill-crest bordering Toyonaka City and Suita City, it provides a panoramic view of Senri New Town as far as the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, and is known as a historic spot enjoyed by many VIP visitors.
(Currently closed)
7. Kamishinden
This area contains a village from the early Edo period (1600 – 1867), that is more than 400 years old. During the initial New Town development stage, only the surrounding fields and hills were purchased and the village itself was excluded from the development project, resulting in the preservation of this traditional townscape in the middle of a city of the future. However, many private apartments have since been built here.
I. Shinsenri-kitamachi
Occupancy began in 1966 (97 ha). The first neighborhood unit developed in the Toyonaka City region, it includes the highest altitude spot in the New Town, and serves as the water distribution base for the north area.
J. Shinsenri-higashimachi
Occupancy began in 1966 (98 ha). The only unit which consists entirely of collective housing. There is a dense bamboo forest preserved and tended by the residents in Senri-higashimachi Park close to the Senri-Chuo Station area.
K. Shinsenri-nishimachi
Occupancy began in 1968 (84 ha). Comprising the west half of the Chuo District Center, it has a business quarter, which is unusual in Senri New Town. Rebuilding of collective housing is underway.
L. Shinsenri-minamimachi
Occupancy began in 1968 (99 ha). The last neighborhood unit developed in the New Town, it stretches north-south along the west side of Shin-Midosuji Blvd., the artery from the center of Osaka to Senri New Town.
Gallery
Click each photograph to enlarge.
1960s-1970s
Photos by UBUKI Tamihiko(♦), AKAI Sunao (●) and NAGAI Toshio (○)
2000s-2010s
Photos by OKUI Takeshi (□) and TANAKA Yasuhiro (Study & Information Center for Senri Newtown) (■)
Material
Pamphlets produced by the Osaka Prefectural Government and its related organizations during the development period are included here with permission. (Click on each cover to view the contents in pdf format.) *Unauthorized use is prohibited.
