NEWS

  • 25.08.27-09.01

    In Suzu City, we held a meeting with members of the NGO “Peace Winds Japan,” who have been conducting support activities since immediately after the disaster, to discuss renovating a former funeral hall into a base for parent-child activities and interaction.

  • 25.08.27-09.01

    Participated in a woodworking workshop in Mii-cho. Also cleaned the Hikimochi residence.

  • 25.06.18-06.19

    Conducted fieldwork in Mii-cho, and experienced farm work. Continued participating in building a shed for Tanigawa-Jozo.

  • 25.05.05-05.14

    Visited the northern Italian cities of Torino, Genova, and Bologna, inspecting four "Casa del Quartiere."

  • 25.03.29

    Participated in renovation proposals for the Hikimochi Residence, and in creating raised flower beds using reclaimed timber from collapsed houses.

  • 24.12.07-12.09

    Conducted fieldwork of the Hikimochi Residence in Mii-cho, and continued participating in building a temporary wooden shed at Tanigawa-Jozo.

  • 24.07.29

    Participated in building a temporary wooden barrel shed at Tanigawa-Jozo in Wajima.

  • 24.06.15

    Conducted fieldwork in Mii-cho, Wajima.

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THEME

Research on Community Hubs as Urban Commons

In a society with a declining population, not only public facilities built by the government, but also local places set up by residents autonomously need to play an important role as community hubs. Although these places are small, they will have multiple functions such as welfare, education, culture, and solving everyday problems. It also needs to be an inclusive place where everyone can visit, regardless of disability, nationality, or family background. We focus on community hubs not only in Japan but all over the world including Italy which has many advanced examples of how to create inclusive spaces. The purpose of the research is to interpret the possibilities of community hubs from a spatial, programmatic, and activity perspective, and adapt the ideas to real practices.

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FIELDS

1

ITALY ― Learning from "Casa del Quartiere"

“Casa del Quartiere” are private community places open to citizens in Torino and Genoa in northern Italy.
While their founding histories are different, they are all operated through citizen self-governance and feature distinctive spaces and programs such as libraries, workshops, children’s play areas, bars and courtyards.
We are researching these pioneering examples of community hubs.


  • Via Baltea, Torino

  • Cascina Roccafranca, Torino

  • San Salvario, Torino

  • Genova

2

NOTO ― Toward Development of Community Hubs in Disaster-Affected Areas

The 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake affected many residences, making it difficult for communities in depopulated areas to survive. Through surveys of settlements, hands-on experiences in agriculture and construction, and interactions with local residents, we will learn from the wisdom of Noto's people in their daily lives. We will then propose the form of community hubs needed going forward. For our activities in Wajima City, we are taking advice from Professor Kiichiro Hagino of Toyama University.


  • Survey of Settlements in Mii-cho

  • Survey and Proposal for Disaster-affected Residences in Mii-cho

  • Building a temporary wooden barrel shed for Tanigawa-Jozo in Wajima

  • Proposal for Establishing a Hub for Parent-Child Activities and Interaction in Suzu City