Implementation Realities and Institutional Challenges of Parklet-Based Road Space Reconfiguration in Japan’s Introduction Period

This paper examines implementation realities and institutional challenges of parklet-based road space reconfiguration in Japan’s introduction period (2016–2021) through comparison with San Francisco’s Shared Spaces program. Based on interviews with stakeholders across all 11 documented cases and design document analysis, three findings emerge. First, most were authorized as temporary experiments yet built as permanent sidewalk extensions. Second, safety and accessibility standards varied widely without uniform guidelines. Third, financial sustainability depended on municipal subsidies rather than operator revenues. These contrast with San Francisco’s codified permit system enabling sustainable adoption through clear standards and cost-recovery mechanisms.