The Tokyo suburb of Kakamura has shown great appeal to expatriates because of its availability of space and proximity to scenic natural resources -- attributes that sharply contrast the dense and bustling big city one hour away.
"Tired of the scene but still tied to Tokyo by jobs and connections, some expatriates are choosing to move to Kamakura, a city known for its greenery and quiet surroundings. By the shortest train route, it is just an hour away from the center of Tokyo, and it is considered well within the reach of daily commute."
"'It's hard to find that which is uniquely Tokyo. Tokyo has to be accommodative to everyone who is there,' American resident Dan Rosen said. But, 'Kamakura is a boutique city. It is not required to deliver as many things.'"
"It also offers a variety of housing, with more single-family homes than most Tokyo suburbs, and by regulation apartment buildings in the oceanside part of the city generally must be no more than five stories tall."
FULL STORY: A refuge from Tokyo's sprawl

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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
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LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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