potscape.

potscape describes the complex, inter-connected spatial realm which is determined by simple potted plants. The potscape of Tokyo's potted plant gardens is topic of Marieluise's thesis, which was awarded the degree Ph.D. in March 2008 at the University of Tokyo under the supervision of Professor Hiroshi Naito and Associate Professor Yu Nakai.

The research was published in JoLA- Journal of Landscape Architecture fall 2007
M.Jonas: 'Private use of Public Open Space in Tokyo- a Study on the Hybrid Landscape of Tokyo's Informal Gardens'
and Zoll+ Österreichische Schriftenreihe fur Landschaft und Freiraum, No. 12, June 2008
M. Jonas 'potscape. Gärtnern in Tokyo', [potscape. Japanese gardens revisited]

Here a brief summary of the research is available, please conatct hello@tokyovoid.com if you require detailed information or are interested in Tokyo's informal flower pot gardens.

Preface

Coming from a culture which emphasizes on boundaries, order and neatness, I was taken aback by the flower pot gardens of Tokyo by my first visit to Japan in 2001.
Could it be true that in the worlds largest agglomeration of people, in the capital of the worlds second most powerful economy, potted plants on sidewalks and edges of streets function as legitimate gardens?
Wouldn't these gardens be stolen, destroyed or vandalized by the masses of people, aren't Japanese people wealthy enough to afford a proper garden?
I was reminded of one our neighbors in a small town in southern Germany, it was in the 1980's when she chained her flower bowl adorned with seasonal plants to the house, I never found out whether there was reasonable threat. Also, I thought of the beautiful pictures I had seen during my history of garden culture classes- weren't Japanese gardens supposed to look different?

All this made me incredibly curious to find out more. But were where the stacks of books on the colorful gardens in Tokyo's streets? In Japan there are books on anything - architecture sections of bookstores are enormous, and every detail of Japanese life has been researched. But there were no books on flower pot gardens.
This eventually led me to research these gardens.
The result is this thesis; driven by curiosity and intent to understand Japanese cities, open space culture and -life.

Approach

potscape is a product of people.

Steve Whitford has stated that "Tokyo is a city where people who don't have power, produce incredible results." People left out of planning, who do not profit from planning processes, living under conditions only marginally regarded by planners, in short -with no power- shape their living environment in incredible ways as the example of Tokyo's flower pot gardens shows.

potscape is green space.

Tokyo does not strike the visitor as a city of parks, however this does not imply the city lacks greenery. In fact, countless streets in Tokyo possess extraordinary green spaces. Residents, shopkeepers or their employees improvise gardens through the use of adjacent street space. These gardens consist of countless flower pots and boxes, carefully arranged in various sizes and planted with all kinds of plants imaginable: palm trees, bonsai, cacti, summer flowers, conifers, shrubs, or even rice.

1. Introduction

Aim of the research is to frame potscape in a spatial concept and to examine the parameter which foster the hybrid landscape of flower pot gardens.
Hybrid landscape has been described as: "a landscape that has communally accepted structure and rules while displaying the richness and diversity that only comes from the creativity of many individuals." (Quayle, Driessen van der Lieck 1997: 100) Therefore the perspective of hybrid landscape, an idea that conflates officially planned spaces and spontaneously made places into one concept of space in the urban landscape, is the chosen perspective for this research.
Further, the thesis is delimited by the approach from a landscape architectural perspective and the fact that little substantial research on the flower pot gardens exists.
The paradox which lies between the large potential and the marginalization of daily life environments is viewed as the main problem of this research. The main question of this research is: What are the parameters of hybrid landscape which can be integrated in successful urban design? This research aims to identify parameter which are related with informal structures in order to integrate knowledge on these into urban design strategies. I claim, that the flower pot gardens possess qualities which will lead to a better understanding of the concept of hybrid landscape.
The hypothesis of this research is: The flower pot gardens can serve as a tool to understand and integrate planned and informal spaces in the concept of hybrid landscape.

Methods used in the research are wide ranging from literature to field research. Core of the thesis is a case study of four areas in Tokyo's shitamachi. There spatial analysis, analysis of the flower pot gardens and their complexity and interviews conducted with residents compile a comprehensive image of the places that foster hybrid landscape.

2. Flower pot gardens

Chapter II gives a comprehensive overview of the Japanese flower pot garden culture and aims to illuminate questions on background and culture of gardening in limited space. What are flower pot gardens? How can they be described, what are their functions, how are they rooted in Japanese traditions such as bonsai and city- and building structure? What are functions they fulfill today. The chapter concludes with a review of conducted research on flower pot gardens.

3. Case study

Chapter III presents the case study on the hybrid landscape of flower pot gardens in four areas in Tokyo. Prior to the case study, the methodology of the case study research is illustrated in detail as the complexity of the topic requires a detailed explanation of approach and method. Among others, process of case selection and the units of analysis are examined. In the case study, detailed background on spatial structure and its qualitative ramification is given. Transcripts of interviews with residents provide an in-depth understanding of the places and the flower pot garden culture. In the following, the case study is evaluated and the evaluation of a ward office survey is included to conclude the detailed investigation.

4. Hybrid landscape

In chapter IV the concept of hybrid landscape is set in the center. It is examined how hybrid landscape has been defined, and what aspects can contribute to a broader understanding of the term. Commencing with the consequences of the modernist movement, aspects of vernacular architecture, appropriation of space and political appropriation of space, concepts of space and place, private and public and lastly garden are set into context with hybrid landscape in the example of flower pot gardens.

5. Discussion & Conclusions

Key findings of the research question the link of flower pot gardens and roji-kukan. It is concluded that potscape is the result of alleyization processes and no longer restricted to roji. In contrast, the research showed that most gardens are found in wider streets, where more space allows more differentiated uses. It is further highlighted that Japanese scholars even include potted plants in the definition of roji, even though not yet consciously.
Moreover, high-rise developments are found to be responsible for the decline of the hybrid landscape of flower pot gardens in Tokyo. Further, in total 91% of all flower pot gardens were found to be associated with residential uses. Therefore, one of the -not so surprising- findings to emerge from this study is that appropriation of space and place making are clearly related to individual intervention, which is more likely to occur when identification with place exists.
In examining the relationship between flower pot gardens and whether they were placed in private or public spaces it was found that 53% of flower pot gardens were found to be located outside of private space. Thus, this finding has to be carefully evaluated: in the areas were it was possible to place the plants on private ground, most people did so.
The relation between quality of environment, which was measured through the evaluation of place relevant data, and the amount of flower pot gardens was shown to be significant: in areas with less place qualities the amount of flower pot gardens was lower than in the areas where these qualities were valued higher.
In conversation with residents it became clear that, aside from reasons derived from culture, tradition or the present cityscape, the main reason for keeping a flowerpot garden is simply personal fulfillment in caring for plants, working with one�fs own hands and creating living, thriving, blossoming compositions of plants to enjoy, show and share.
Through the interviews it could be shown that the flower pot garden culture is based on long tradition, most gardens were older than 20 years. Many interviewees stated that they had inherited their garden and love for plants through their parents.
It was found that most people interviewed, clearly regard their flower pot gardens as private, regardless whether placed on public or private land.
The ward office survey showed that both municipalities involved (Taito-ward, Chuo-ward) did not have regulations dealing with the private appropriation of space through flower pot gardens. However, in a somewhat undecided approach both wards stated the potential they saw in the gardens as green space.

Suggestions for formal planning processes derived from the research are:

Most important, it has to be emphasized that hybrid landscape can not be formally created, implemented or designed. Consequently planning merely can help to facilitate the conditions under which it can emerge - and planning can eventually also determine whether a rich hybrid landscape will emerge -or not.

Lower the threshold for hybrid landscape
�gImperfect�h spaces attract people to beautify and encourage involvement. In Tokyo roadside trees and flowerbeds often function as gardens because the threshold to �gillegal�h space use is lowered: these are spaces for green and the monotonous azalea hedges can be replaced by something more beautiful in a discreet way.

View privacy as part of public and vice versa
People who shape their environment physically do so to manifest privacy and to express individuality. Yet, this does not mean that public is excluded, it is rather a necessary part supplementing privacy. In the expression �gprivate for the public�h which was often used by the interviewees to describe the relationship between private and public it becomes evident that private and public are a supplementary pair.

Consider scale
The expression of individual creativity still exists in apartment towers. Yet on the 11th floor balcony the plants kept there are no benefit for public and community. This might be no new perception - still the widespread trend to the modernist �gtower in the park�h concept now encouraged by Tokyo�fs city government and numerous investors will eventually destroy the flower pot garden culture.

Use plants, and let people use plants
One characteristic of the flower pot gardens is their floating existence between private and public. They are private goods, in public realm, fuzziness and organic growth further blur the boundary between the entities. Private effort and public space is shared for the good of a natural creation.
Plants signify caring, safety and peacefulness. Where well kept flower arrangements are found, people caring for them are usually not far.

The flower pot gardens reflect the human need for nature. In total estrangement from nature, these gardens are often the only natural element left in the vast concrete jungle of Tokyo. The study has shown that gardens possess qualities which lead us back to the root of our human existence. In a less abstract sense, plants have been proven to reduce stress, violence, and lead to higher levels of cognition, apart from their benefits on eco systems, climate, air quality and habitats. Humans are part or nature- this is as it seems easily forgotten.
The combination of the positive effects of plants and participation of people in shaping their environment is not easily surpassed in terms of benefits for humans and eco systems. Tokyo has the tremendous potential of people who are willing to share their personal efforts of shaping the environment - for themselves and for everybody else. However, this potential has to be recognized, supported and included in academic discourse as a valid strategy for sustainable development of Tokyo.