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Size Distribution of Building Lots and Density of Buildings and Road Networks: Theoretical Derivation Based on Gibrat’s Law and Empirical Study of Downtown Districts in Tokyo

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  • Hiroyuki Usui
  • Yasushi Asami

Abstract

The concept of density lacks the ability to explain the diversity of physical elements of urban form such as building lot sizes. Thus, urban planners tend to discuss the validity of density values without taking into consideration the variation of building lot sizes due to the limited data available on building lot shapes. Our objective is to discuss the potential of building density and road network density in order to estimate the size distribution of building lots at the district scale in downtown Tokyo. The study finds that (1) building lot sizes approximately follow the lognormal distribution whose parameters, mean, and variance are formulated by gross building density, the coefficient of variation of building lots, road network density, and average road width by removing large building lots and (2) the value of the coefficient of variation is approximately equal to one. As a practical problem, we discuss how to determine the maximum building density by considering the variation of building lot sizes. It was found that the maximum building density can be determined based on a stochastic approach. These findings are expected to provide urban planners with a theoretical basis for discussing the validity of density values.

Suggested Citation

  • Hiroyuki Usui & Yasushi Asami, 2020. "Size Distribution of Building Lots and Density of Buildings and Road Networks: Theoretical Derivation Based on Gibrat’s Law and Empirical Study of Downtown Districts in Tokyo," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 43(3), pages 229-253, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:inrsre:v:43:y:2020:i:3:p:229-253
    DOI: 10.1177/0160017619826270
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jiang, Bin, 2007. "A topological pattern of urban street networks: Universality and peculiarity," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 384(2), pages 647-655.
    2. Hiroyuki Usui, 2018. "Statistical distribution of building lot frontage: application for Tokyo downtown districts," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 295-316, July.
    3. Legras, Sophie & Cavailhès, Jean, 2016. "Environmental performance of the urban form," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 1-11.
    4. Xiaolu Gao & Yasushi Asami, 2005. "Estimating the Boundary Lines of Land Lots with a Multiobjective Optimization Approach," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 32(4), pages 581-596, August.
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    1. Hiroyuki Usui, 2019. "Statistical distribution of building lot depth: Theoretical and empirical investigation of downtown districts in Tokyo," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 46(8), pages 1499-1516, October.
    2. Francesca Dal Cin & Martin Fleischmann & Ombretta Romice & João Pedro Costa, 2020. "Climate Adaptation Plans in the Context of Coastal Settlements: The Case of Portugal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-19, October.
    3. Hiroyuki Usui, 2021. "Optimisation of building and road network densities in terms of variation in plot sizes and shapes," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 48(5), pages 1263-1278, June.
    4. Hiroyuki Usui, 2024. "Relative spatial variability in building heights and its spatial association: Application for the spatial clustering of harmonious and inharmonious building heights in Tokyo," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 51(4), pages 987-1002, May.

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