<Hosted by the Cabinet Office's Regional Revitalization Promotion Secretariat> Application Open for the Downtown Revitalization Platform Online Seminar "The Potential of Town Centers that Embrace Diverse People" [Held on July 3 (Fri)]

【Purpose of the Event】

As one of the initiatives of the Downtown Revitalization Platform, we will hold the Downtown Revitalization Platform Online Seminar "The Potential of Town Centers that Embrace Diverse People."

This seminar will focus on "Enhancing town centers as places for diverse people, including children, youth, women, and the elderly, to live and thrive," which is one of the key areas for future downtown revitalization in the Downtown Revitalization Promotion Program.

We have invited Associate Professor Goto from Tokyo City University, who is researching "Children x Town Development," and Mr. Kawai, Section Chief of the Industrial Promotion Division of Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture, which aims to create a "town where children gather and create vibrancy." They will discuss what elements are necessary to create town center spaces where children can grow and an environment where town center players can emerge.

<Overview of Kawanishi City's Initiatives>

Kawanishi City has been working to revitalize its downtown area, focusing on two hubs: the area around Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station and the Kiseru Kawanishi area, by utilizing public spaces and developing plazas within commercial facilities.

On the other hand, creating spaces where families with children can gather and generating vibrancy in each area remain challenges.

In light of this, the 4th phase plan, starting in April 2026, aims to create "town center spaces where children can grow" and "an environment where town center players can emerge." The city is working to create vibrancy and foster talent through events and exchange opportunities utilizing underutilized public land and station front spaces, as well as facility development in collaboration with private businesses.

【Event Details】

● Date and Time: July 3, 2024 (Fri) 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

● Format: Online (YouTube Live)

● Participation Fee: Free (Advance registration required)

● How to Participate: Please apply via the "Application Form (see URL and QR code)".

https://jmar-chiiki.jp/machisem2607/

Application Form (QR Code)

● Application Deadline: July 2 (Thu) Noon

【Program】

10:00 AM - Opening Remarks

・Jun Habashiro (Deputy Director, Regional Revitalization Promotion Office, Cabinet Office)

10:05 AM - Presentations

"Children x Town Development - The Potential of Downtown Areas" (Tentative)

・Chikako Goto

(Associate Professor, Department of Environmental and Creative Studies, Faculty of Urban Life Design, Tokyo City University / Member, Downtown Revitalization Evaluation and Promotion Committee)

"Towards Kawanishi: A Town Where Children Gather and Create Vibrancy" (Tentative)

・Nobuhiko Kawai

(Section Chief, Industrial Promotion Division, Citizen and Environmental Department, Kawanishi City)

11:00 AM - Discussion and Q&A

【Speaker Biographies】

Chikako Goto

Graduated from the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Science and Technology, Science University of Tokyo in 2005. Completed Master's program in Urban Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo in 2007. Completed Doctoral program in the same department and obtained a Ph.D. in Engineering in 2011. Served as Director of Kashiwa-no-ha Urban Design Center (UDCK) and Project Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo before assuming her current position.

Her expertise is in urban planning and town development, with research on childcare facilities, children's environments, maintenance and regeneration of suburban residential areas, and community space creation.

Authored "Community Design Studies" (co-authored, University of Tokyo Press, 2016), among others.

Nobuhiko Kawai

Based on the "4th Kawanishi City Downtown Revitalization Basic Plan" (certified March 17, 2024), he is promoting the creation of vibrancy throughout the area by fostering and increasing town players, and encouraging families with children to visit by creating an environment where they can engage and be active in various vibrancy hubs, under the theme of "A town where children gather and create vibrancy ~A place where everyone's smiles circulate and people connect~."

*The recruitment flyer (PDF) can also be downloaded from here.

d66332-19-6a6632e98edd31615e76e8f6215afeb8.pdf

【Contact】

● Inquiries regarding this project and symposium

Japan Management Association Research Institute Inc. (Contracted business recipient for the Cabinet Office) <Contact: Nakari/Goto/Tanaka>

TEL: 03-3578-7529 (Weekdays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

Email: syaken_06@jmar.co.jp

*If we are unavailable by phone, please contact us via the email address above.