Last Updated on 2025 年 7 月 29 日 by 総合編集組
Insights from Japan’s Pedestrian-Friendly Urban Design: Lessons for Taiwan
Introduction: A Planner’s Perspective on Japan’s Urban Success
As an urban planner, Chen Zhiming observes Japan’s streets with a keen eye, noting their seamless integration of safety, functionality, and human-centered design. Unlike Taiwan’s chaotic “pedestrian hell,” Japan’s urban environment prioritizes walkers, achieving notably low traffic accident rates.
This report, inspired by Chen’s fieldwork in cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, examines Japan’s pedestrian-friendly traffic design and culture, offering actionable insights for Taiwan. Written in a structured, reflective style influenced by Jane Jacobs and Jan Gehl, it emphasizes human-scale urban solutions.
Japan’s Pedestrian-Priority Framework
Japan’s traffic laws enshrine pedestrian priority, particularly at crosswalks, where drivers must slow down or stop to ensure safe passage. The “diamond marker” system, placed 30–50 meters before crossings, serves as an early warning, guiding drivers to decelerate proactively. This design, rooted in cognitive psychology, reduces accidents by shaping driver behavior. Chen observes drivers’ consistent compliance, even in busy areas like Shibuya, contrasting sharply with Taiwan’s aggressive driving culture. Japan’s success lies not just in regulations but in a societal “contract” of mutual respect, reinforced by practices like children raising hands to signal crossing and drivers flashing “thank you” hazard lights.
Thoughtful Infrastructure Design
Japan’s sidewalks adhere to strict standards: 3.5 meters wide in busy areas, 2 meters elsewhere, with additional space for amenities like benches. Tactile paving, pioneered in Japan in 1967, ensures accessibility for the visually impaired, setting a global benchmark. Signalized intersections with pedestrian-only phases eliminate vehicle-pedestrian conflicts, enhancing safety. Chen contrasts this with Taiwan’s narrow, obstacle-laden sidewalks, often blocked by parked scooters or utility poles, highlighting the need for standardized, accessible infrastructure.
Cultural Foundations of Traffic Discipline
Japan’s traffic culture is a cornerstone of its pedestrian-friendly environment. From childhood, citizens are taught to prioritize safety and mutual respect, with schoolchildren trained to check surroundings and signal before crossing. Drivers maintain strict lane discipline and yield patiently, even without physical traffic calming measures. This self-discipline, Chen notes, stems from early education and a societal emphasis on collective responsibility, unlike Taiwan’s prevalent “rush-first” mentality among drivers and pedestrians alike.
Innovative Urban Planning Practices
Japan’s “Zone 30” initiatives and “Kurashi-no-Michi” (living street) projects use textured pavements and narrowed roads to slow traffic in residential areas, prioritizing pedestrian safety. The “Hokomichi” policy transforms streets into vibrant public spaces with café seating and parklets, redefining roads as community hubs. Shibuya’s elevated pedestrian networks integrate transit hubs, commercial spaces, and art installations, making walking an engaging experience. Chen envisions similar transformations for Taipei’s Yongkang Street or Xinyi District, though he acknowledges challenges like illegal parking and regulatory fragmentation.
Taiwan’s Challenges and Opportunities
Taiwan’s “pedestrian hell” reputation stems from car-centric urban planning, inadequate sidewalks, and weak enforcement. In 2024, over 360 pedestrians died in traffic accidents, with elderly individuals disproportionately affected. Despite significant government investment, progress remains hampered by disjointed policies and a lack of cross-agency coordination. Chen, reflecting on Japan’s model, proposes a multi-pronged approach: embedding traffic safety education in schools, standardizing sidewalk designs, implementing preemptive signage, and fostering community-driven street activation projects.
Recommendations for a Pedestrian-Friendly Taiwan
Drawing on Japan’s example, Chen suggests:
- Education: Integrate respect for road rights into school curricula, fostering a culture of courtesy.
- Infrastructure: Expand sidewalk coverage, ensure accessibility, and adopt Japan’s tactile paving and signal systems.
- Traffic Management: Introduce warning markers and pedestrian-only signal phases at busy intersections.
- Urban Activation: Pilot “Zone 30” zones and parklets in residential and commercial areas.
- Policy Coordination: Establish a unified traffic planning authority to streamline efforts.
- Public Transit: Enhance accessibility, especially in central and southern Taiwan, to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
Conclusion: A Vision for Change
Japan’s pedestrian-friendly cities demonstrate that safety and livability require both robust infrastructure and a culture of mutual respect. For Taiwan, escaping its “pedestrian hell” label demands systemic reform, from policy to public mindset. Chen’s report, blending personal observation with professional analysis, calls for Taiwan to embrace human-centered urban design, creating streets that are not just pathways but vibrant, safe spaces for all.
