A Study on Historical Evolution of Kamishimonowari Agricultural Waterway

The purpose of this paper is historical analysis of agricultural waterway system which was settled in downtown Tokyo, based on investigation during 1954-1955 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Kamishimonowari Waterway was settled at Katsushika district in the East of Edo in the beginning of 18th century for agricultural waterway. It changed in use, serving another purposes because of the agricultural decline by city development. Used for drainage of city life and industrial factory, it became polluted. After the World War _II_, it was berried, because of solution of traffic problem. Now in Heisei era, some parts of this waterway remain as open space. The part of connection to Koaidame, the source of the stream was sustained by law for designation of scenic zone of 1930. There remain other small parts of promenades with water. The history is divided in 4 eras, Edo era (1603-1868), Meiji era (1868-1912), Taisho-Showa era before World War II (1912-1945) and Showa-Heisei era after World War II(1945-). The maps of each era are put into GIS to see the transition of land use around the waterway. The purpose of total waterway system still remains important in regards to environment and city landscape in the future to come.