Setagaya-ku has been seeing a rise in the number of multi-storey row houses being built on flagpole or battle-axe shaped blocks of land. Although an apartment building cannot be built on such blocks of land, developers can get around this rule by building terrace or row houses which do not fall under the definition of a ‘multi-unit dwelling’. Surrounding residents are concerned by the loophole as the densely packed homes could help spread a fire due to the difficult access for firetrucks.
Flagpole blocks of land usually have a long and narrow driveway via the road which leads to the building at the rear. Subdividing of larger blocks of land over the years has led to a number of these properties, many of which only have a 2-metre wide street frontage (the minimum allowed).