EXAMINATION OF THE VALUE OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE LOCATED IN URBAN AREA AS ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES

Abstract

In recent years, many researchers have focused on the urban heat island, caused mainly by the increase in the artificial ground due to the development in urban areas.  Several mitigation techniques have been utilized to reduce the temperature of the surrounding microclimate by installing green spaces in urban areas.  To obtain greater benefits, the establishment of large-scale green spaces such as urban parks is more effective. However, designing urban parks in a big city is economically not efficient according to the limited land area and its high price. For that reason, roof and wall greening are one of the alternatives.  Looking at the conditions in Japan, some areas with greens exist in the city, not parks but shrines. Shrines are religious landmarks based on the religion called Shinto.  Shrines are often religiously and publicly protected and preserved in Japan.  However, according to the lack of successors, or decrease in the surrounding population, or financial difficulties, the number is decreasing.  The purpose of this study is to clarify the temperature-mitigating effect of the greens in a shrine and reevaluate it by the aspects of both cultural and environmental sides for future preservation. For this study, a shrine called Hakozakigu was targeted.  It is a cultural heritage and also a huge green area that connects the seashore and the city center.  The measurement was carried out in the summer of 2021.  As a result, the mechanism of the temperature mitigating effect by the shrine was clarified.