| d) Means for preservation/conservation |
i) Management of the Historic Buildings and the improvement plan
of the Preservation Districts
The buildings and structures which compose the historic landscapes
of the three villages are designated and described in the Preservation
Plans. The proper management of these buildings is the obligation
of the building owners, and alterations to the existing state
are strictly controlled. New construction projects as well as
remodeling of other non-listed buildings or structures in these
historic districts are for the most part prohibited, but even in cases where such construction is approved there are
strict requirements to control the design of forms and colors
so that harmony with the historic surroundings is not harmed.
In view of such requirements, the local governments have established
subsidy measures to help support repair work for the conservation
of Historic Buildings as well as improvement work such as modifications
to enhance the appearance of buildings which do not fit into the
historic surroundings.
The essential conservation management facilities, including fire
prevention systems and visitors' facilities, have already been
completed. Further supplemental improvements are now being planned
based on the Preservation Plan.
The outline of this conservation work planning was described in
Chapter 2 section b, "Legal status" of this text, and the details
are described in each individual village's Preservation Plan (refer
to each village Preservation Plan in the Additional Reference
Materials, File No.3, Chapter 3, "Preservation and Improvement
Plan of Buildings and Other Structures in the Preservation District;
Chapter 4, "Subsidy Measures Relevant to Buildings and Environmental
Features"; and Chapter 5, "Installation of Facilities and Equipment
Necessary for Preservation of the Preservation District as well
as for Environmental Improvement Planning").
ii) Management of Environmental Features
In all three villages the canals, trees, and cultivated land such
as the irrigated rice fields are important elements of the village
landscape. Among these, the main canals, trees and forest areas
are listed as Environmental Features in the Preservation Plan.
The proper preservation of those features is the obligation of
the property owners, and alteration of the existing state is strictly
controlled.
For cultivated land areas or other natural features, alterations
to the character of the land -- including such acts as the cutting
of trees or bamboo, or the excavation of earth, rocks or minerals
-- are controlled in accordance with the Preservation Regulations,
Articles 6 and 7.
Also, people cannot freely change the land use of cultivated land
into any other uses without official permission, as the Agricultural
Land Law strictly controls the agricultural land use in all three
villages. In addition, the land in Ogimachi Village and Suganuma
Village are designated as Agricultural Promotion Areas in accordance
with the Law Concerning Establishment of Agricultural Promotion
Areas. Under this law also, changes of land-use classification
are regulated and people cannot freely change irrigated land or
dry crop land to other usage. Also, all development actions such
as land preparation for housing sites, new construction or the
rebuilding of structures are controlled.
In Ainokura Village and Suganuma Village, designated as Historic
Sites in accordance with the Law for the Protection of Cultural
Properties, the alteration of the existing state of any Historic
Buildings or Environmental Features requires official permission.
Under this law the change of the usage of irrigated rice fields
or dry crop land to other uses is prohibited. |
