Laboratory of Regional Design with Ecology

[Working Groups in Research Fields]

1. Overview and Strategy Project

< Vision and Construction of Water Space WG>
　Based on shared recognitions on waterfront, this working group integrates various projects to clarify overall vision. In addition, it will make proposals for academic world and our society on waterfront renovation focusing on values of history and ecology. Concrete measures on design for renovation of waterfront cities, law system and new political measures will be covered.

< Map Information WG>
　The working group aims to enhance digital atlas system using information platform and visional communication systems included in maps. The working group will provide functions of the system externally, as well as using it as supporting tools for research activities. Furthermore, digital atlas will carry the roles of presentation and communication tools.

< Water Expo Project>
　In Water Expo, planned to be held from June 2008 in Zaragoza, Spain, the working group will display achievements of the laboratory. Eco history of renovation of Tokyo water area, which has been one of the themes of our laboratory, will be introduced.

2. City Core and Bay Area Renovation Project

< Tokyo Bay and Coastal Area Renovation WG>
　Old coastal line, lost because of reclamation, was replaced by port facilities and factories. However, most of them have already stopped functioning, and are required to behave in other ways. This working group explores "rich waterfront space", based on the following keywords: canals, waterways, and ship transportation.

< Inner River Renovation WG>
　Riverside spaces, once lined with farmlands, brushes, or open areas, are confined by urban areas built without considering landforms and grass establishments. Seeking true closeness with water, the working group examines the relationship between rivers and cities, coping with flood disasters.

< Outer Moat Renovation WG>
　Outer moat, located at the middle of Tokyo city core and seven sub centers, is a heritage with 350 years' history, as well as valuable outer spaces, filled with rich water and greens. The working group explores renovation designs and strategic scenarios, focusing on the areas through Iidabashi (a conneting point of Kanda-gawa and Nihonbashi-gawa), Ichigaya, Yotsuya, to Akasaka.

3. Basin Zone Renovation Project

< Hino Irrigation Channels Renovation WG>
　By the urbanization and suburbanization, most of Hino irrigation channels with long history of 400 years were unfortunately lost. The working group aims to prepare renovation design for the aqueduct networks, and to explore measures by the cooperation with citizens and administration; furthermore, it will examine strategic scenarios for reorganization of suburban areas and urban areas.

<Musashino Tableland WG>
　Musashino Tableland is a unit of the ecological water system defined by ground water and Tamagawa Canal. The tableland has population of about 10 million. As for waterfront renovation, issues include drought of rivers on tableland including Nogawa and conservation of springs and ground water. To provide solutions on theses problems, the working group will conduct researches and propose renovation and utilization of Tamagawa canal networks.

< Shimanto River Basin and Hata Kuroshio Area Renovation WG>
　Through the Shimanto River basin to seacoast of Kuroshio region in the western part of Kochi Prefecture, unique ecological NPOs focusing on waterfronts are actively operating; they can serve important roles in regional management in rural areas. This working group will explore their possibilities based on sustainable observation and researches.

4. Port Town Renovation Project

5. Oversea Research Project

[Research System in 2007]

[Field-by-field research system until 2006]