*This article is based on information as of January 2026.

1. The Dawn of Modern Urban Planning: The Background to the Birth of "Industrial Cities"

"Chaos" and "Pollution" in Lyon at the End of the 19th Century

First, we need to understand the historical context in which Garnier's concept was born. At the end of the 19th century, Europe was in the midst of the Second Industrial Revolution. In particular, Lyon, France, Garnier's hometown and base of operations, was in a transitional period in which its industrial structure was shifting from silk weaving to heavy chemical industries, and the city was undergoing rapid urbanization.

The urban environment at that time was far worse than we can imagine today. Factories and workers' housing were scattered throughout the city, and the sky was constantly gray with the soot spewing from factory chimneys. Water and sewage systems were not keeping up with the demands of the city, and infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and typhus were rampant in the overcrowded slums, significantly shortening the average life expectancy of workers.

Lyon, France, where Garnier was based and left behind many of his works

Rebellion against academia and the birth of "functionalism"

In 1899, at the age of 30, Garnier won the Prix de Rome, a gateway to success in the architectural world, earning him the right to study at the Villa Medici in Rome. Prize winners were usually required to survey and study ancient Roman or Greek ruins and create plans for their restoration in the classical style.

However, Garnier, who held socialist ideology and came from a working-class background, objected to nostalgia for the heritage of the past. Believing that "architects should contribute to society's future, not its past," he defied the rules of the Academy and began designing his own ideal city. He presented his first concept in 1901, and after repeated refinements, published "The Industrial City" in 1917, it was the culmination of his rebellion against academia and his hopes for the future.

2. The full picture of the "industrial city": its innovative specifications

Garnier's "industrial city" was not just a sketch. It was a blueprint that could be implemented, with detailed calculations for everything from population size to infrastructure and building materials. We will explain its main features in three points.

Comparative verification with competing ideal city models

To further highlight the uniqueness of Garnier's plan, we will compare it with the "Garden City" proposed by the contemporary British social reformer Ebenezer Howard, and the "Shining City" proposed by Le Corbusier in his later years.

*The table above compares the conceptual features of each plan. There are regional differences in how they are applied to actual urban planning.
*The table can be viewed by scrolling horizontally.

3. The Pros and Cons of Zoning: Its Acceptance and Transformation in Japan

Garnier's idea of functional separation was discussed at the CIAM (International Congress of Modern Architecture) in 1933, and was formulated as the "functional city" by Le Corbusier in the "Charter of Athens" published in 1943. This had a major impact on urban planning in various countries during the post-war reconstruction period. However, the way in which this idea was accepted varied greatly from country to country.

The "exclusive" United States vs. the "accumulator" Japan

There are two main types of zoning: "Euclidean Zoning," which is common in Europe and the United States, especially the United States, and "Cumulative Zoning," which is used in Japan.

Japan's zoning system (use district system) has maintained a level of leniency rarely seen anywhere in the world since the enactment of the New City Planning Act in 1968. By adopting the "accumulation method," which allows higher-level uses (e.g., residential) to be built in lower-level areas (e.g., semi-industrial areas), it has become possible to create "mixed-use" areas where convenience stores, cafes, and clinics coexist naturally within residential areas.

While this has enabled Japan to avoid to some extent the "inner city problem" (hollowing out of urban centers) seen in Europe and the United States, it has also created other issues, such as urban sprawl, where urban areas expand uncontrollably, and the difficulty of controlling the landscape. The balance between convenience and environmental conservation remains a major point of contention in Japanese urban planning.

4. Practical Simulation: "Next Generation Zoning" in Toyako Town, Hokkaido

So, what happens if Garnier's idea of an "industrial city" is applied to solving the problems of modern Japan? Here, we look at Hokkaido, a major tourist destination that is facing the serious problem of population decline."Toyako Town"will be taken as a model case.

Data analysis of regional issues: The dilemma between tourism and settlement

Toyako Town is one of Japan's leading tourist destinations, with its scenic caldera lake and hot springs. However, the town is facing the following structural challenges.

• Accelerating population decline:Garnier's current population is less than 10,000, far below its projected population of 35,000. In a settlement where people are increasingly dispersed, the cost of maintaining infrastructure (snow removal, water supply, road repairs) is putting a strain on finances.
• Concerns about overtourism:In hot spring resort areas, an increase in tourists will cause noise and traffic congestion, posing a risk of friction with residents seeking a quieter living environment.

Proposal: Compact Tourism City Concept

We will conduct a simulation to translate Garnier's approach of separating the functions of factory and residential into a modern one and apply it to Toyako Town.

Comparative example: Comparison with Tomakomai West Industrial Park

There is an example in Hokkaido that embodies Garnier's "industrial city" on a massive scale: Tomakomai City. The city has an industrial park covering a total of approximately 13,000 hectares, and its core, the Tomakomai Western Industrial Base (approximately 2,400 hectares), is the pinnacle of functionalist urban planning, with the port, railway, and factories completely separated from residential areas.

However, this kind of "hard separation" is not what is needed in tourist destinations like Toyako Town.

Balancing the bustle of tourists with the serenity of local residents"Soft zoning"For example, modern "industrial cities" require dynamic and flexible management methods, such as changing the use of roads depending on the time of day (cafe terraces during the day, logistics roads at night) or using ICT technology to disperse congestion.

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