Sustainable suburban redevelopment in an ageing society: searching for a community building model for next generation PPP projects in Japan

Abstract

This study deals with the issue of ageing populations in old postwar suburbs in need of physical upgrading. It investigates the city’s attempt to develop a model for next generation suburban redevelopment through a public-private partnership (PPP) that would create sustainable communities of the future. The study looks into aspects related to the development of soft infrastructure and the effectiveness of community engagement and community building, focusing on the governance aspects of PPP projects. The study is set in Japan, a super ageing society with a neoliberalised planning system.

The research conducted seeks to empirically determine the role that the public agency assumes within the framework of a PPP partnership in dealing with redevelopment of suburbs with existing communities. It, therefore, set up research questions about: the beneficial collaboration that the PPP model could effectively deliver; how the contextual factors, shaped by culture and historical developments, influence the inception and implementation of the PPP; how the model PPP project could streamline community resources to tackle the impacts of ageing populations residing in old suburbs; and how market-based mechanisms could be employed to promote sustainable future communities.

Findings from the study confirm that ageing and related changes in lifestyles are threatening the sustainability of traditional forms of community organisations, i.e. jichikai, that rely on voluntary services by members. It also noted the positive contribution of the more recent tradition of machizukuri. The findings suggest that through robust and innovative governance structures, public and private partners could effectively generate community engagement and streamline community assets and networks to add new organisations while enhancing and incorporating traditional organisations.

The study concludes that by using innovative, robust governance mechanisms, the public agency can realise a largely beneficial partnership with the private sector actor and employ market-based mechanisms to encourage community engagement and community development under a culturally responsive PPP framework.

Date of Thesis submission	2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Western Sydney University
Supervisor	Awais Piracha (Supervisor) & Nicky Morrison (Supervisor)