Prior to 1965, the area know as Tama New Town, west of Tokyo, contained several large streams, wooded hillsides, and rice farms.
In 1971 the first phase of Tama was opened to an expectant public, eager to leave behind the crowded and expensive living conditions in Tokyo. Tama promised cheap housing, generous open space, and an idyllic setting for young families.
In January 2009, Tama’s affordable housing is fatigued if not decrepit, and more often than not entirely derelict. The eager parents that moved in 40 years before remain, their children grown and long gone. Tama lacks the jobs and infrastructure to atract them back, and so the town continues to age. There are few children now.
In the summer of 2009 Tama began to be bulldozed to the ground. An expectant team of architects and developers eagerly awaits.
