State Management of Urban Construction in Japan

2.4.1.2. State management of urban construction in Japan

- Management of urban planning and development

Planning is a tool and a management method of primary importance in state management of urban construction in Japan. In addition, planning is also considered a serious investment promotion program. After completion, the planning is widely announced to the public, especially land use planning and planning for construction of technical-social infrastructure. The purpose of this is for investors and people to participate in implementation. The most special point in Japanese urban planning is that in urban development programs, there is a regulation that at least 40% of projects must be prioritized for local management and implementation. When the planning is established, it is necessary to consult the community many times, ensuring that 70% voluntarily approves before the planning is approved.

Once the planning is agreed upon and approved, it will be translated into regulations (urban development policies) and implemented by the urban government. This is a legal instrument equivalent to a sub-law document - an official tool to implement the planning. At that time, the planning is announced and widely promoted to the community and takes effect from the date of official announcement.

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After the planning projects are approved for implementation, these projects are undertaken by the city and local authorities. The projects are approved or appraised by the Ministry of Construction, Land, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and submitted to the Government for approval. The provincial authorities carry out the planning implementation.

During the period of high economic growth, due to the rapid increase in population, concentrated in large cities, the situation of urban development has occurred. To deal with this situation, Japan has proposed a method to limit urban expansion, control urban expansion, and develop an urban infrastructure plan by dividing the system into areas, including urban adjustment areas.

urban, urban regionalization, urban expansion. Japan expands and develops urban areas by building new urban areas. With the goal of developing urban areas in harmony with the environment, Japan has achieved achievements in building smart urban models, green and ecological urban areas.

With the current and future trend of population decline, Japan will build compact, environmentally friendly cities, reduce carbon emissions (CO2), improve the convenience of public transport and develop central urban areas, while implementing smart strategies, reducing suburban areas, and forming sustainable cities. The change in urban structure from diffuse to intensive development is also taken into account, such as the old central city being the main urban area, the low population density in the suburbs will be transferred to a dispersed city, reduced density, forming centers along the main public transport routes, promoting low-carbon cities through solutions, urban transport structures, trees, energy, etc. In Japan, we can cite typical examples in construction management and urban development through planning tools such as construction planning and development of Tokyo, Fujisawa (in Kanagawa province), and Yokohama. In addition to the common signs, each of these cities has its own specific forms or highlights in its urban planning and development management, such as: The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has established the Center for "Building a Low-Carbon City" and "Building a Green City" to establish and implement key strategic projects. Some typical projects or programs are "Strategy for using energy-saving technologies"; "Urban areas that maximize the use of renewable energy"; "Building a sustainable transportation system"; "Developing new environmental technologies and creating environmental business sectors, shifting to carbon reduction." In order for these projects or programs to come into reality, the city government also has policies to ensure that all stakeholders from all levels of government to the private sector and the people

are all involved in the implementation of planning. In Fujisawa, urban managers have applied solutions to build sustainable urban development with effective cooperation and connection between private companies, each citizen and the city government in planning, planning, and development orientation of the city. The most important thing is the participation of the whole community, which is considered a decisive factor in the development of smart and sustainable cities. In Yokohama - one of the most modern cities in Japan, the government is very interested in the participation of private economic sectors and people, has implemented a series of development projects and regulatory measures. All are built to ensure synchronization and consistency with each other, ensuring long-term implementation as well as the active participation of people and the private sector. As a result, Yokohama has completely changed, from an environmentally degraded city to a livable city, friendly to nature, with a strong economic foundation. (24)

- Urban construction quality management

To ensure the quality of urban construction works, first of all, Japan always attaches importance to construction management - the process of creating this special type of product. Japan has a system of legal documents that strictly regulate construction supervision and the structure of the inspection system, such as the Law on Promotion of Bidding and Legal Contracts for Public Works, the Public Finance Law, the Law on Promotion of Quality Assurance of Public Works, etc. Technical standards for inspection are compiled by regional development agencies, while inspection contents in supervision work are directly implemented by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan. In Japan, construction management at construction sites plays an important role in ensuring the quality of construction works. Construction management at construction sites includes construction supervision

(24). Khanh Phuong (2017), Valuable experience in urban planning and development of Japan , http://kientrucvietnam.org.vn/kinh-nghiem-quy-bau-trong-quy-hoach-va-phat-trien-do-thi-cua-nhat-ban/, accessed May 14, 2021.

construction and construction work inspection, with contents on compliance with contract conditions, construction progress, labor safety. Inspection is carried out on specific items, from the quality, size of precast concrete components, erection of reinforcement for concrete structures as well as checking the results of weak ground treatment, diameter and length of deep piles... In addition, issues related to the use of locally available materials or the implementation of specific measures, suitable for each possible situation are also thoroughly inspected.

Construction supervision is carried out by the staff of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism using non-destructive testing - a method using electromagnetic waves. This method allows checking the arrangement of steel bars as well as the protective concrete layer, ensuring durability by preventing cracks and the risk of concrete peeling. Traditional testing technology cannot detect the spacing of steel bars after construction is completed. Meanwhile, arranging steel bars with appropriate spacing with protective layers of steel bars is especially important in ensuring the quality of the project as well as ensuring the design strength.

In addition, urban construction quality management in Japan is also strictly implemented through the maintenance regime for the works. The maintenance regime is stipulated in laws and legal documents, requiring owners and users of the works to comply, be responsible for maintenance and regularly update. Within the framework of cooperation between Japan and Vietnam on enhancing the capacity of construction quality management, Japanese experts also advise: Vietnam should comprehensively consider the maintenance system for construction items such as fire prevention, electricity, elevator systems... including the certification system for electrical supervisors and those who are responsible for maintenance.

other professional inspections, and the inspection results should be reported to the competent authority to ensure the quality requirements of maintenance work. (25)

- Construction quality management of apartment buildings

Japanese people believe that apartments are a form of housing that allows residents to live near commercial service areas, which means having the advantage of many modern urban amenities in daily life, enjoying all the urban amenities and facilities as well as historical traditions, including water space and green landscapes in urban areas. Apartments had to move to the suburbs due to skyrocketing land prices when the economy boomed, then had to return to areas suitable for infrastructure upgrades in central Tokyo and elsewhere after the economy froze. The demand for apartments depends on the convenience of transportation and public services, private investors building apartments have come up with many types of premises to meet the needs of customers. However, it will be difficult to meet customer needs if only building apartments of the same design. The important thing in the quality of apartments is the harmonious landscape of the residential area, urban landscape and urban panorama, so it is necessary to grasp the psychology as well as the diverse needs of customers. To evaluate the quality of apartments, the Japanese set high-end apartment standards: in addition to design, luxurious equipment, price and suitable location, they must also meet the needs of convenient transportation, beautiful landscape, public space and high-class public open space. Even if the land scale is large enough to build high-end apartments, the price, location, design and equipment are reasonable, people cannot call these apartments perfect, unless they meet

(25). Tran Dinh Ha (2013), Construction quality management from Japanese experience , https://ashui.com/mag/congdong/kysu/9514-quan-ly-chat-luong-cong-trinh-xay-dung-kinh-nghiem-tu-nhat-ban.html, accessed April 15, 2021.

required for traffic. Here, residents can gather, play and form

become a model urban area with successive architectural solutions. (26)

2.4.2.3. State management of urban construction in the Federal Republic of Germany

State management of urban construction in the Federal Republic of Germany is characterized by management of urban planning and development. (27)

The subjects of urban planning and development management are determined according to the subjects with authority over spatial planning - one of the most important factors influencing regional development policy in the Federal Republic of Germany. (28) Federal government agencies, 16 states; (29) 114 regions and over 13,000 urban authorities share the responsibility for spatial planning management.

The outstanding feature of the spatial planning system in the Federal Republic of Germany is the strong decentralization of management, the federal government does not have a comprehensive legally binding spatial planning tool. The federal government only decides on the principles and basic models for spatial development throughout the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany. 30 Accordingly, the Federal Spatial Planning Act defines the framework of regulations governing the content and procedures of spatial planning, and the state governments are responsible for implementing and specifying them in more detail. At the national level, the federal government plans most of the

(26). Anh Linh (2013), Japan's high-rise building development model (Electronic Construction Newspaper, December 3), http://amc.edu.vn/vi/tin-tuc-su-kien/tin-xay-dung-va-do-thi/xay-dung-va-do-thi-nuoc-ngoai/639-mo-hinh-phat-trien-nha-cao-tang-cua-nhat-ban.html, accessed April 15, 2021.

(27). See more: Ministry of Construction's Electronic Information Portal (2007), Spatial planning in Germany - a model for Vietnam to refer to,

http://www.moc.gov.vn/vi/trang-chi-tiet/-/tin-chi-tiet/Z2jG/86/18507/quy-hoach-khong-gian-thanh-pho-tai-duc-mot-mo-hinh-cho-viet-nam-tham-khao.html, accessed April 17, 2021.

(28). Regarding spatial planning levels in Germany, see also: Central Institute for Economic Management (2011), Survey report on linkages between localities in regional development in the Federal Republic of Germany , Hanoi, p.7. http://www.ciem.org.vn/Portals/0/CIEM/DieuTraNgoaiNuoc/2011/10/Bao_cao_The_chekhao_sat_Duc.pd f, accessed April 17, 2021.

(29). The Federal Republic of Germany has 13 states and 3 city-states: Berlin, Bremen and Hamburg.

(30). Spatial planning in the Federal Republic of Germany is also part of the spatial planning of the European Union. See also: Central Institute for Economic Management (2011), Survey report on the linkage between localities in regional development in the Federal Republic of Germany, http://ciem.org.vn/Portals/0/CIEM/DieuTraNgoaiNuoc/2011/10/Bao_cao_The_chekhao_sat_Duc.pdf, accessed April 17, 2021

urban development and construction policies. According to the Federal Construction Code of 1960, (31) the federal government has the authority to issue a uniform legal framework for all urban authorities in the Federal Republic of Germany, and city and municipal authorities are responsible for implementing and specifying details to meet the specific conditions of each locality.

State governments are responsible for regional planning within their respective regions, following the general principles set out in the federal spatial planning act. State governments provide the legal framework that governs regional and sub-regional planning within each of their territories.

Regarding urban planning tools, the Federal Building Code distinguishes between three areas under the Planning and Building Act: white land, land under construction and areas subject to local development planning control. Accordingly, white land is restricted to land use, mainly for conservation purposes or in other words, non-construction areas, which are areas where no construction permits are granted, except for some priority projects or special categories such as agricultural or forestry enterprises. White land is where most of the urban land is unused and has an ecological balance function. Land under construction in many urban areas is only considered in terms of traditional construction that has been continuously taking place or is in the process of being built without the need for legally binding land use planning. (32)

The method of state management of urban construction and development through spatial planning tools and mechanisms in the Federal Republic of Germany is also in line with the general trend of urban planning management in the European Union today. Accordingly, there are currently 5 major challenges in urban spatial planning management.

(31). This Law has also been supplemented and amended many times.

(32). See also: Spatial planning in Germany - a model for Vietnam to refer to (according to the Overview Report on urban development and urban policy in Germany), ibid.

Europe, including: (i) upgrading and renovating urban areas to enhance the image of the city center; (33) (ii) revitalizing old worker housing areas in the inner city; (iii) effectively reusing wasteland in the inner city; (iv) improving the quality of space in suburban and peri-urban areas; (v) improving the structure and spatial morphology in large urban areas. (34)

2.4.2. Lessons learned for Vietnam

In general, the practice of state management of urban construction in some countries

The above family shows the following outstanding features:

Firstly , state management of urban construction is an objective necessity, especially in the current conditions when the urbanization process is taking place rapidly on a global scale. In addition to the role and impact of objective laws in the market economy, the state, agencies, organizations, communities and people in all countries have demonstrated an important role in influencing, managing at the macro level, regulating, supporting, maintaining order and discipline in urban construction and development activities.

Second , together with management tools such as strategies, programs, plans, projects, policies, and laws used synchronously, flexibly, and effectively in management, contributing to the growth and sustainable development of the construction industry in general, including urban construction.

Third , to ensure sustainable development in urban construction activities, state management activities in this field must be based on the legal foundation of laws on planning and construction, urban development; promote civil rights.

(33). If the previous trend and challenge for urban development in Europe was to focus on planning and developing suburbs ("suburbanization"), maintaining the old urban structure in the inner city, now it has moved to the stage of "re-centralization".

(34). Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association (2016), Urban design in Europe - past, present and

future ,

https://moc.gov.vn/vn/tin-tuc/1184/43905/thiet-ke-do-thi-tai-chau-au--qua-khu--hien-tai-va-tuong-lai.aspx, accessed April 17, 2021.