As of 2008, there are 6.831 billion of us on the planet. And that number is growing. We want all people to have a place to live and to have a good life. But how can we accommodate all of this growth? Build up is one option, but the height of skyscrapers can go only so far before gravity does its thing. Digging down is really not an option, as well, primarily financial. Maybe looking at how different countries manage themselves is the best way. And who is not better than Asia – Japan, specifically. That rather small plot of earth supports 124 million souls, as of 2024.
The Japanese are also very clever. Japan’s ability to house and support its massive population—particularly in highly dense urban centers like Tokyo—is a testament to a combination of strategic urban planning, unique housing policies, a robust social system, and specific cultural norms. It’s a complex, multi-layered approach that allows a high population to live in a compact, efficient, and well-ordered society. A perfect example of this is Manseibashi station. What once was a sprawling, chaotic and almost impenetrable hive of humankind has since been transmogrified into a fantastic and inviting home of dozens of small businesses, restaurants, galleries and stores. Content below courtesy of NHK World.
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Video content courtesy of Japanology.com / NHK World. Excellent stuff! Click here for more.
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