As part of its regional collaboration activities, the laboratory of Associate Professor ITO Takanori (Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Industrial Management Engineering Group) supervised and supported the running of the "Tsurumai Chikusa Mizumatsuri," which was held on Saturday, August 2nd.

This event was held for the third time following last year's edition, under the theme "Summer in Tsurumai and Chikusa with cool water." In order to unify the Tsurumai and Chikusa areas, the venue was newly set up under the Wakamiya overpass. We conducted a social experiment on a pedestrian zone with the aim of creating a flow of people that would increase mobility within the area.

On the day, the town's places, content, and people were connected through events such as the festival and the Bon Odori  held in the Sengoku school district, spreading the town's charm throughout the venue and creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere. In addition, the participation of the Self-Defense Forces, police and fire departments also helped strengthen the resilience of the region.

At our institute, we develop student's ability to proactively address social issues through practical learning in collaboration with the local community. We will continue to actively promote activities aimed at creating a livable city.

[Introducing the activities of the ITO Laboratory at Mizumatsuri]

The ITO laboratory conducts research and practical activities on the theme of area management. Area management aims to manage the community by having the private stakeholder (residents, companies, landowners, etc.) take the lead in drawing up a "future vision" for their own town (area) and carrying out continuous urban development activities such as "social experiments aimed at realizing that vision."

Students in the ITO laboratory have created a "future vision" by organizing opinions gathered through dialogue (workshops) with community members, and are working in collaboration with the council on a range of activities, from planning and running social experiments to conducting surveys and other research and analysis.