Studies 

The Spatial Design Laboratory is conducting the following research in 2025.

Understanding Bridge Deterioration Using Machine Learning

Japan’s social infrastructure, including bridges and tunnels, was developed intensively during the period of rapid economic growth and is now expected to deteriorate at an accelerating rate. Furthermore, the condition of many existing structures remains uncertain due to limited inspection coverage. To address these challenges, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has been promoting the use of digital transformation (DX) and information and communication technologies (ICT) to enhance the efficiency of infrastructure maintenance. This study aims to apply machine learning techniques to assess the environmental impact on bridge structures using surrounding data, such as weather conditions. By integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS), it is also anticipated that this research will contribute to evaluating the condition of bridges whose current states remain unconfirmed.

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Cognitive Characteristics of Street Trees in Pedestrian Spaces

Street trees provide a range of functions, not only protecting the roadside environment but also mitigating urban issues such as the heat island effect. When selecting tree species, their tolerance to harsh urban conditions is often considered. However, in many cases, appropriate planting intervals have not been clearly established. In fact, only a limited number of municipalities have developed comprehensive master plans for street tree management, resulting in substantial regional variation in planting intervals. This study focuses on pedestrians’ gaze behavior to identify optimal planting patterns for street trees. A survey employing simulations was conducted, and multivariate analysis was applied to elucidate the cognitive mechanisms underlying pedestrian perception of street trees.

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Pavement Design and Walking Trajectories in Virtual Urban Spaces

A significant portion of Japan’s infrastructure was constructed during the period of rapid economic growth, and by 2030, approximately 70% of it will be over 50 years old. As the population continues to age, barrier-free design that prioritizes pedestrian safety and comfort has become increasingly important. However, clear design guidelines are lacking, and decisions are often based on regional characteristics rather than standardized indicators. This study employs virtual urban environments to compare different pavement designs and analyze pedestrian walking trajectories. The results indicate that the visual characteristics of pavement surfaces may influence both walking direction and movement patterns.

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Extracting Urban Space Distortions from Spatial Cognition

In recent years, Japan has experienced frequent disasters caused by abnormal weather and large-scale earthquakes. To protect each individual’s life from such diverse disasters, it is essential to develop evacuation environments based on accurate information. This study aims to create a new type of hazard map that incorporates distortions of urban spaces derived from our perceived urban spaces (cognitive spaces) and reflects them on maps. As a research method, we conducted spatial cognition surveys targeting elementary school students. Based on the collected data, we used GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to measure directions and displacements. The distortions between cognitive space and real space are quantified as a magnification rate of spatial images, enabling us to grasp the characteristics of each cognitive space.

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Visualization and Evaluation Method of Small-Scale Crowd Flow in Pedestrian Spaces

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, as local activities have resumed and vibrancy has returned to urban life, increasing attention has been directed toward how human behavior in public spaces affects the surrounding environment. Pedestrians often behave differently when walking in small groups compared to walking alone. Based on this observation, this study evaluated walking patterns by visualizing how individuals’ actions influence traffic conditions. A visualization method was developed to observe crowd flow at crosswalks, revealing that factors such as pedestrian density significantly affect movement patterns. The analysis was conducted from the perspective of interpersonal distance and density, enabling a quantitative evaluation.

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Visualization and Evaluation Method of Small-Scale Crowd Flow in Pedestrian Spaces

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, as local activities have resumed and vibrancy has returned to urban life, increasing attention has been directed toward how human behavior in public spaces affects the surrounding environment. Pedestrians often behave differently when walking in small groups compared to walking alone. Based on this observation, this study evaluated walking patterns by visualizing how individuals’ actions influence traffic conditions. A visualization method was developed to observe crowd flow at crosswalks, revealing that factors such as pedestrian density significantly affect movement patterns. The analysis was conducted from the perspective of interpersonal distance and density, enabling a quantitative evaluation.Based on the characteristics identified through this evaluation, the study aims to contribute to the planning and design of safer and more comfortable pedestrian spaces.

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Evaluation Method of Pedestrian Overpasses Focusing on Pedestrian Behavior and Road Spatial Configuration

This study aims to evaluate pedestrian overpasses as part of addressing the challenges associated with aging infrastructure. Specifically, it focuses on the relationship between jaywalking and pedestrian overpasses, with the objective of identifying novel evaluation criteria for existing structures. Initially, the correlation between pedestrian overpasses and instances of jaywalking was analyzed to assess whether overpass usage can be validly evaluated. Subsequently, the spatial relationships between overpasses and surrounding facilities were examined to determine whether these factors, in conjunction with jaywalking behavior, can serve as effective evaluation parameters. Furthermore, by considering the psychological effects that overpasses may exert on pedestrians, this study seeks to develop a more accurate and comprehensive method for evaluating pedestrian infrastructure.

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Evaluation of Pedestrian Spaces and Route Prediction Using Gradient Analysis

Currently, Japan is experiencing a recovery from the disruptions caused by COVID-19, accompanied by a growing influx of foreign tourists due to the depreciation of the yen. Consequently, the use of public transportation and crowding in tourist areas have increased, emphasizing the importance of pedestrian spaces in and around transport hubs and tourist destinations. Measures are now required to ensure that these spaces remain both accessible and attractive. This study focuses on the relationship between pedestrian behavior and the physical characteristics of walking environments. It is proposed that a comfortable public space is not only one that attracts people but also one that facilitates ease of movement. By analyzing gradients within pedestrian environments, this study aims to develop a method for evaluating walkability and predicting pedestrian flow, ultimately contributing to the design of safer and more user-friendly public spaces.

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Color and Perception of Stations in Forecourt Public Spaces

In Japan, station forecourts have traditionally been developed as transportation hubs. However, in recent years, they have increasingly functioned as community spaces. Consequently, these areas are now expected to be attractive, offering not only convenience, comfort, and safety but also reflecting the identity of the local community. In response to this societal shift, this study focuses on the landscape design of station forecourts, with particular emphasis on the role of color. Using image analysis, the actual color compositions of station plazas were extracted, and through surveys, the perceived color impressions associated with stations were analyzed. Additionally, factors influencing these perceptions were examined. The aim of this research is to explore how color can be effectively utilized to enhance both the quality and the image of station forecourt spaces.

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