Evolution of settlements in the Marginal Land

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This study aims to identify the regionality and generality of the settlements at marginal land of marshes, uplands, volcanic slopes, and deserts in the northeastern Kanto District. As representative forms of such settlements, this study deals with Shinden settlements in Edo era, pioneer settlements of Shizoku-jusan Jigyo in Meiji era, and pioneer settlements by Kinkyu-Kaitaku Jigyo after World war II.The study is carried out by the systematic investigation of the marginal-land settlements and by empirical researches into the transformation of some cases. As a result, it is identified that the pioneered paddy fields in Edo era occupied marsh areas. Pioneered land since Meiji period, by contrast, mainly lay in uplands and volcanic slopes. The marginal-land settlements used to suffer inferior physical conditions in the beginning. Although some settlements still cannot overcome these conditions, some cases exist which achieved rapid agricultural modernization by making the most of large land units and by introducing commercial agriculture. The different types of the development of these settlements are related to the transportation development, the relationship with the surrounding communities, the traditions of the area, and various other factors.