Cultural Strata of Glass-Lens Industry in Kishiwada City : A Study of the Suburb as a Hub for Localized Industries

This study aimed to analyze the cultural strata of Kishiwada’s glass-lens industry as an example of a localized industry. We analyzed the conditions and problems of operational factories in terms of their location and environment. Although Kishiwada’s Shimomatsu district has undergone considerable land redevelopment, we could still learn about the prosperous history of the glass-lens industry. There used to be numerous buildings housing factories, which have now been transformed into simple houses or apartment houses. The integrated industrial-residential area, which appeared as a result of urbanization, is seeing a transformation because of the decline in the dominant industry. The glass-lens industry in Kishiwada is no longer considered declined industrial area.