Thread by @wrathofgnon

”...the houses shall be consistently designed at each neighbourhood.”
— Extract from a 1686 town code (町式目), Kyoto, Japan.

“Codes determined that streets in front of properties were to be cleaned every morning. Festivals and other events were also written of as they were a strong motivation to sustain the community. The physical and financial support at weddings and funerals was also defined.” — Baba

“It was ordered that every neighbourhood build a gate and close it at night. This does not necessarily mean the city was unsafe, as crossing the gates in the night was a common practice...the existence of the gates strengthened the neighbourhood sense of security.” — Baba

“One of the effects of urban codes developed during the Edo period is the standardization of townhouses with common features such as lattice windows, ceramic tiled roofs. People in Kyoto developed the de facto standards of affordable houses, now known for their modularization.”