SYMPOSIUM II Future Perspectives on Metropolitan Areas

The symposium was organized to explore new horizons in urban geography, based on the activities of the Urban Geography Commission of AJG. Five papers were presented: K. Konagaya: Population structure and urban problems in the year 2010 in Tokyo. K. Yano: Modelling the mechanism of residential location in metropolitan areas. T. Kawaguchi: Emerging new life styles and activities of suburban residents in Tokyo Metropolitan Area. K. Tomita: Recent trends in Tokyo Metropolitan Area and research issues in urban geography. K. Suzuki and H. Yagai: Regional structure and urban planning issues based on a recent person trip survey in Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Questions and comments in the discussion mainly focussed on: 1) New spatial definition and concepts of metropolitan areas. 2) Changing functions of central areas and decentralization to suburban areas. 3) Problems of excessive concentration in Tokyo and its global, national and local contexts. 4) Future trends and issues for metropolitan, areas and the expected contributions of urban geographers.