Hokkaido University Research Profiles

Japanese

town planning: 3

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  • Life Sciences
  • Information and Communication
  • Nanotechnology / Materials
  • Manufacturing Technology
  • Human and Social Sciences
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Tourism / Community development
  • Arctic Research
  • Social Infrastructure
  • Open Facilities
  • Applied Research on Content Tourism

    International comparative study on the propagation and acceptance of culture through content tourism and its application to the planning of tourism town planning measures

    We are conducting an international comparative study of content tourism from the perspective of the propagation and reception of pop culture to clarify the role that such tourism plays in understanding others. The knowledge gained through this research is also returned to the fields of tourism and urban planning in the form of specific measures.

    Research

    Through this research, we are conducting an international joint research project on content tourism (the act of actually visiting a place that is given meaning by a “story” or “work” and its constituent elements, and experiencing the relevant content) with the following three objectives:
    First, we will clarify the role that such tourism plays in understanding others by rethinking content tourism from the perspective of the propagation and receipt of pop culture. Secondly, based on this, we will consider how to create a model exchange-oriented tourism town with content at its core. Thirdly, we will focus on the East Asian region, where Japan's geopolitical situation calls for international mutual understanding, and consider the possibilities and challenges that content tourism, triggered by Japanese content, has for Japan's cultural security.

  • From Landscape to Hometown Revitalization

    Creating community value through resident participation

    From the perspective of landscape planning, we are researching ways to preserve and utilize the local environment by linking it to people's awareness and social understanding. In recent years, we have been practically researching how values and spatial needs that change with society, such as “health” and “funerals” can be reflected in the landscape.

    Research

    To conserve and manage local resources through resident participation, the “landscape” approach, which views the region from people's perspective, is very effective. We are developing research on people's and society's landscape perception, and conducting empirical research on how to utilize people’s place attachment in local resource management.
    Environmental planning using health resorts (Kurort)
    In Germany, medical insurance covers services at government-recognized recuperation and health resorts that make use of the natural environment such as hot springs, the sea, and the climate. In Japan, too, efforts are underway to create health resorts (Kurort) that combine health tourism with local health promotion.
    Forest utilization as burial sites:
    To utilize forest resources, we are conducting practical research on the development of forest burial sites in Japan, modeled after Germany’s examples. As a new method of managing forests, which account for 70% of Japan’s land area, we are promoting the creation of forest burial sites in various regions as a means of regional management in aging society.

  • Research on the Conservation and Utilization of Cultural Heritage and Tourism

    Planning and implementation of international cooperation projects on cultural heritage in Southeast Asia

    We are conducting research on the relationship between the conservation and utilization of cultural heritage and tourism in Southeast Asia, with special focus onmonuments. Based on the results of our research, we collaborate with other organizations to implement international cooperation on cultural heritage.

    Research

    In Southeast Asia, there are many archaeological sites such as the Angkor complex (Cambodia) and Borobudur (Indonesia). Faced with political turmoil and crises caused by natural disasters such as the Sumatra earthquake and tsunami (2004), each country has been working to preserve and utilize these sites. Tourism used to be considered dangerous as it would have a negative impact on the sites, but since the adoption of the International Charter on Culture and Tourism in 1999, it has come to be seen as an essential part of cultural heritage preservation. For example, in the Angkor Complex, which attracts more than 2 million tourists a year, the tourism industry has become an important means of earning foreign currency at the national level, and the revenue from tourists is used for the conservation of the vast ruins. On the other hand, the balance between the ever-increasing number of tourists and the preservation of the monuments has become increasingly complicated due to the local environment, economy and other issues.