Airin District gathered the largest number of day labors without permanent address since the 1950s. Locals regarded the district as the unofficial Japanese version of slum area, where job seekers gather to look for jobs and cheap hoteling options. Because the district was long being neglected, twenty-one riots occurred from 1961 until 1968. Various issues and problems including poverty, security, environment, hygiene, discrimination was commonly prevalent.

The district of Airin is reviving, building more inclusive communities. Many projects were delivered in this area for urban revitalization in a way to avoid gentrification. Particularly, the Mayor Toru Hashimoto elected in 2011 drove Nishinari Special Zone Project forward, holding one strong vision shared with a wide range of stakeholders. The overall approach included projects and practices around citizen engagement; safe, inclusive, and resilient town development; and building trust of the citizens on local authorities.