Landscape and Town Conservation A Case Study in Nagano 2025

Duration :

20 Feb. – 3 Mar. 2025

Project code :

GA24-FIN-0097

Coordinating researchers :

Mari-Sohvi Miettinen,

(Main applicant)

Tomoya Wakayama,

(Co-applicant)

Cyclo Project ry

Partner organization :

MARU to Edit

Tobichi Company

Founders / Sponsors:

Scandinavia-Japan Sasakawa

Foundation

Harvia

Objective

This project entails on-site visits to the town of Tatsuno, coupled with the organization of participatory design workshops in collaboration with local stakeholders. Over the past decade, both Japan and Finland have witnessed a dramatic decline in population. This trend is particularly pronounced in remote areas, away from major urban areas. Numerous innovative approaches have emerged to address and counteract the challenges of population decline and urban stagnation in Japan. A prime example is the small town of Tatsuno, situated to the south of City Matsuo, with a modest population of 20,000—a characteristic case study. In these regions, arcades face significant challenges in maintaining their existence. Aging residents and the high costs associated with upkeep contribute to the plight of these urban spaces. In response to this, our project partner, MARU to Edit, has initiated the Tobichi Shotengai (distance arcade) project, aimed at revitalizing the town and crafting a vision for the next decade, starting from 2021. The project adopts a distinctive approach by fostering coexistence with local communities and injecting new value by refurbishing abandoned storefronts. Furthermore, the project has engaged in collaborations with foreign artists, garnering support from them to facilitate participatory workshops. A crucial aspect of the initiative is its emphasis on local leadership, with the project being driven by the community rather than the organization. In our upcoming project, we plan to collaborate with the ongoing Tobichi Shotengai Project initiative, facilitating local workshops to enhance daily life in January 2025. This includes initiatives such as building saunas or other enlivening functions according to the residents’ desires with the support of locals and university students from Shinshu University. The collaborative effort aims to contribute to the broader vision of sustainable urban development in Tatsuno over the next ten years.

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