The townscape in the central urban area of Kurashiki City, which retains the eras of Edo, Meiji, Taisho, and Showa, has been carefully passed down by many people living in the town.
In a town where people from various positions live, it is necessary to advance town development while accepting diverse opinions.
The Kurashiki Area Platform is an organization that promotes town development with the collaboration of government, educational institutions, businesses, various groups, and local residents, while envisioning the ideal future of Kurashiki.
It was established to promote town development among the people living in the central urban area of Kurashiki City, working hand in hand.
To learn more about town development that creates the future of Kurashiki, we have listened to the thoughts of those involved in the activities of the Kurashiki Area Platform.
While listening to the voices of people active in the central urban area of Kurashiki City, let’s think together about the future of Kurashiki.
What is the Kurashiki Area Platform?
What role does the Kurashiki Area Platform play in creating the future of Kurashiki?
Here, we introduce the overview of the Kurashiki Area Platform and the background of its establishment.
Overview of the Kurashiki Area Platform
The Kurashiki Area Platform is an organization established to preserve the townscape of the central urban area of Kurashiki City for future generations.
It was established by people involved in the lives of the central urban area of Kurashiki City, including government, educational institutions, businesses, various organizations, and local residents, to promote town development while sharing the ideal image of Kurashiki.
To preserve the landscape of this historic town for future generations, it is necessary to advance projects while sharing information without being bound by the boundaries between public and private sectors.
The aim is to clarify the answer to the question of how to manage the historic townscape by involving everyone connected to the town.
What is the central urban area of Kurashiki City?
The central urban area of Kurashiki City, which prospered as a collection point for goods during the Edo period, is lined with old buildings that have remained since that time.
In modern times, traditional buildings around the Kurashiki River are utilized as shops, and that area has welcomed many tourists as a commercial district.
The area known as the Bikan Historical Area, which symbolizes Kurashiki, features a townscape that represents Kurashiki.
In fact, not only in the Bikan Historical Area but also around it, old buildings such as storehouses and townhouses remain, and there are people living in the town that retains traces from the Edo to Showa periods.
The scope of town development targeted by the Kurashiki Area Platform includes the central urban area along the historic roads that have existed since the Edo period, including the Bikan Historical Area.
It aims for town development that focuses not only on tourism but also on the lives of the people.
Challenges of the central urban area of Kurashiki City
In past town development efforts, there have been instances where information sharing among the city hall, businesses, educational institutions, various organizations, and local residents was not effective.
For example, even though residents were aware of vacant houses, there were cases where they were not utilized and deteriorated.
In such cases, buildings are forced to be demolished, causing charming buildings to disappear from the town's landscape.
Moreover, if information were shared, it would be possible to introduce vacant houses to those who want to start new businesses.
To preserve the landscape, it is necessary to share information not only with residents but also with people involved in the town.
Initiatives of the Kurashiki Area Platform
The Kurashiki Area Platform is holding meetings to formulate a future vision for the Bikan Historical Area and surrounding regions, while also trying to link specific activities such as preservation of the townscape and launching new businesses to the future vision.
In collaboration with real estate agencies operating in the central urban area, they are utilizing the platform to gather the latest information on vacant houses and land, as well as to solicit ideas for new activities.
On October 6, 2023, a progress report meeting was held in a format that anyone could attend.
Shinkei-en Garden Keikendo welcomed a wide range of people interested in town development in the central urban area of Kurashiki City.
The Kurashiki Area Platform regularly holds report meetings aimed at people involved in local life to discuss specific initiatives.
Let’s think together about the future of Kurashiki while listening to the voices of those involved in the central urban area of Kurashiki City.
Listening to the voices of those involved in town development
Various people, including city hall staff, representatives of non-profit organizations, university professors, real estate agents, and residents of the central urban area, are involved in the Kurashiki Area Platform.
On behalf of the Kurashiki Area Platform, the following individuals shared the background of its establishment and recent initiatives.
| Position | Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Representative | Nakamura Yasunori | Kurashiki Machiya Trust Higashimachi Neighborhood Association |
| Vice Representative | Hara Hiroyuki | Shono Land Co., Ltd. |
| Vice Representative | Ogawara Yoko | Achi 3-chome Western Neighborhood Association |
| Committee Member | Narukiyo Hitoshi | Associate Professor, Notre Dame Seishin University Kurashiki Machiya Trust |
| Secretary General | Kuwata Kyohei | Kurashiki City Town Development Promotion Division |
Reasons for the establishment of the Kurashiki Area Platform
Please tell us about the background and purpose of the establishment of the Kurashiki Area Platform.
Narukiyo (no honorifics)
While promoting town development activities led by university students in the central urban area of Kurashiki City, I felt the need for a platform where people from various positions, such as non-profit organizations, government, and universities, could work together in the same organization.
Since 2021, we have been conducting activities under the Kurashiki City Campus Project, where students engage in fieldwork and address local issues in collaboration with the Machiya Trust.
In that activity, students from the research lab have opportunities to work with Nakamura, the representative of the Machiya Trust, and city hall staff to engage in discussions and initiatives for utilizing vacant houses.
Seeing students deepen their understanding of town development while being stimulated by various people active in the community, I felt that a platform that gathers diverse people is necessary.
Around that time, Mr. Kuwata, a city hall official, approached me about a subsidy to promote public-private collaboration, which became the catalyst for the establishment of the Kurashiki Area Platform.
Kuwata (no honorifics)
The city hall was aware of the subsidies from the national government, but how to utilize them was still unclear.
The request from the national government for applying for the subsidy was to build a platform for people involved in the town.
Therefore, since Nakamura and Professor Narukiyo were already making preliminary moves towards public-private collaboration, I suggested creating a platform using the subsidy.
Additionally, since there was a need to present a vision for the future, I wanted to proceed not just with plans made by the government, but by listening to the voices of businesses and local residents in the central urban area of Kurashiki City.
Nakamura (no honorifics)
Community town development must be advanced not only by the government but also by businesses and local residents working hand in hand.
However, in past activities, we had not been able to effectively involve the entire community, making it difficult to realize some initiatives.
The term public-private collaboration in the subsidy guidelines gave the impression that the national government finally recognized the need for collaboration across the community.
I feel that we were able to lay the foundation for advancing town development across the community, triggered by the subsidies from the national government.
What are the challenges of the central urban area of Kurashiki City?
What challenges have been visible in past town development efforts?
Nakamura
The lack of a vision for the central urban area was a challenge.
Many people had the desire to make it a historic city, but there was no concrete vision for the townscape as a whole.
Additionally, the activities of the Machiya Trust had not involved all stakeholders connected to the community.
With the Kurashiki Area Platform, we can create a vision while listening to the opinions of the entire town.
When implementing projects utilizing vacant houses and land, there was a recognition that we could not proceed well without working with people related to real estate.
In other regions, successful examples exist where real estate-related individuals take the lead in advancing projects.
We were seeking real estate partners who could also focus on the lives of local residents and social issues.
Hara (no honorifics)
We real estate agents have the most information about land and buildings in the town.
When someone wants to start a business, a base is necessary.
Rather than having businesses search for land or properties themselves, it is likely that real estate agents can efficiently introduce suitable properties through collaboration.
Additionally, it is also possible to utilize the connections of real estate agents.
Through our network of real estate agents, we can contribute to community development by introducing appropriate properties that match the business needs.
Narukiyo
When a property becomes vacant, Hara is the first to reach out to the Machiya Trust.
The strength of having real estate agents as partners in community development is that we can grasp the latest information on vacant houses.
Real estate agents play an important role in realizing the future vision that we are currently aiming to formulate.
What kind of challenges did the city hall feel?
Kuwata
The city hall had created the "Kurashiki City Central Urban Revitalization Basic Plan," which summarizes the state of the central urban area.
Of course, this was not created solely by the city hall, but with the cooperation of local residents.
However, it was not possible to involve various stakeholders related to the community on the scale of the "Kurashiki Area Platform," so there were likely opinions that were not captured.
Additionally, while the goal of preserving the historical townscape was stated, the areas targeted were vague.
With the "Kurashiki Area Platform," we can formulate plans while listening to opinions from local residents.
It became clear that there are historical buildings and landscapes that should be preserved even outside the designated preservation districts (traditional building preservation districts), allowing us to clearly define the areas where the townscape should be preserved.
What kind of challenges do people living in Kurashiki City face?
Ogawara
The place where I live is outside the Bikan Historical Area, but it is a place where the townscape from the Edo period remains.
I run a kimono shop in a building from the Meiji period, but I am worried about whether I can preserve the building after I pass away due to the lack of successors.
For example, even if I were to pass the building on to relatives, it would be sad if they did not understand its value and sold it or demolished it.
I have a desire to pass the building on to someone who can utilize it well in a way that fits the community.
Reasons for Collaboration Among Various Organizations
When is community collaboration necessary?
Nakamura
For example, in Kyoto, there is a system where you must notify the city hall before demolishing a building.
When a notification is submitted, the city hall takes the lead in discussing how to utilize the building with those involved in community development.
Currently, Kurashiki lacks a system to identify and utilize buildings that may be demolished.
With a platform, it becomes possible to collect information about buildings from residents.
Ogawara
In Kurashiki, there has been no system for managing buildings owned by residents, leading to historical buildings being left unattended.
In some cases, buildings have deteriorated to the point where demolition was the only option, resulting in the loss of parts of the townscape.
Since houses are private property, owners handle them freely.
As generations change, the attachment to the community may diminish, and some may not reach the idea of preserving the townscape.
The difficulty of preserving buildings due to the lack of successors is also a challenge for those who have lived in the central urban area of Kurashiki City for a long time.
What kind of collaboration is expected from universities?
Narukiyo
Until now, I have continued activities in the central urban area of Kurashiki City with the desire to pass down history and culture across generations.
High school and university students do not have many opportunities to connect with local people, so it is valuable for them to hear the voices of those involved in community development through the platform.
I have been involved in community development as a director of the Machiya Trust for over 10 years.
In the board meetings, people from various positions sometimes engage in heated discussions, and I have learned a lot while being stimulated by these exchanges.
By listening to passionate opinions about the town, not only knowledge about community development but also feelings for the town will grow.
I expect that high school and university students will also be inspired, leading to the intergenerational transmission of community development.
Concrete Actions Toward the Vision
Can you tell us about recent concrete initiatives?
Nakamura
We are progressing with the formulation of short-term, medium-term, and long-term visions for 2026, 2030, and 2067.
In the short-term vision, we will decide on specific initiatives.
The medium-term vision is a plan aimed at the SDGs goal of 2030.
The long-term vision, set for 2067, marks the 100th anniversary of the merger of Kurashiki City, Tamashima City, and Kojima City.
For each vision, we want to share an ideal image of how we want to be with those involved in community development.
Narukiyo
There are already ongoing projects related to the short-term content.
When we proposed new activities and projects in the central urban area of Kurashiki City, several pieces of information and opinions came up.
Thus, by introducing vacant houses and consulting on the content, we can have deep discussions thanks to the existence of the platform.
Hara
For example, we are constructing a tourism facility called LOGIN KURASHIKI to attract inbound tourism.
We decided to clear the site where a vinyl house used to be and establish a new facility.
Being able to share information with residents before launching new projects is also a function of the platform.
This will help reduce misunderstandings between local residents and businesses.
Are there activities involving residents and schools?
Ogawara
The area where I live is a district with a historical townscape, and there are people I have been friends with since childhood.
Additionally, people from my mother's generation also live in the same townscape.
Therefore, what I am planning is a place like a salon where local people can visit casually.
I want to create a place that can continue to build connections among people living in the town.
I am currently renovating houses and storehouses using subsidies from Kurashiki City.
Narukiyo
As part of the meetings for the "Kurashiki Area Platform," we held a youth session in August 2023.
The center of community development toward 2067 will be the current younger generation.
Thus, we conducted a town walk and opinion exchange meeting targeting people under 30, including university and high school students.
Not only high school students from Kurashiki City but also university students from within the prefecture gathered to discuss the future of Kurashiki.
The Ideal Image of Kurashiki
Can you tell us about the ideal image of Kurashiki?
Ogawara
I think a tourist destination where you can buy local specialties as souvenirs is nice, but I want Kurashiki to be a place where you feel enriched in your heart when you visit.
And for the residents, I want to create a place where they can value horizontal connections and not feel isolated.
I want to create a town that can cherish the connections between visitors and residents.
Hara
Actually, I have a fantasy about the future of Kurashiki.
I want to turn the road from the station to the Bikan Historical Area into an underground shopping street.
There are tall buildings around the station, creating a scene far removed from the historical townscape.
When tourists come to Kurashiki seeking atmosphere, they may feel disappointed by the view visible from the station.
Ideally, I would like to remove all the buildings above ground and create an underground shopping street like Umeda in Osaka.
I think it would be interesting if the townscape of Kurashiki spread out beyond the underground shopping street, which would also contribute to the preservation of the townscape.
Narukiyo
I believe it is important to discuss the ideal image of the town with everyone involved in the community and refine the vision of the town.
Passing down feelings for the town across generations is my ideal.
To achieve this, it is necessary to provide a place for people involved in the town and the younger generation to engage.
And when someone wants to take on a challenge or start a business, I believe it is our role to support them concretely by providing information and a base.
Kuwata
I love the sunset visible from the townscape of Kurashiki.
There are streets where the sunset looks beautiful, and I have my favorite spots.
The central urban area of Kurashiki is bustling with tourists during the day, but in the evening, the number of people decreases, revealing the lives of those who live in the town.
When walking through the town, I sometimes get approached by acquaintances, making it a time when the community feels close.
With the beauty of the sunset, I feel a sense of warmth.
By 2067, I hope it will be a town where the warmth of people can be felt.
Nakamura
Over the years, while being involved in community development in Kurashiki, there is a phrase I hold dear.
The phrase is "Awakening the dreams of the land."
It is not about fulfilling my own dreams, but rather listening to what the town of Kurashiki desires and realizing those aspirations, which I feel is how we create the image of the town.
It is important to discern whether the visions we have for the town are selfish or if we are truly listening to the dreams of the land.
In other words, I am engaged in community development from the standpoint of helping to awaken the dreams of the land.
I was born in Kurashiki and have seen the unchanging scenery.
On the other hand, when I see other towns, I notice landscapes that change rapidly with economic fluctuations.
At that moment, I realized the value of things that remain unchanged.
Surely, if I had not been born in Kurashiki, I would not have recognized the value of the unchanging townscape.
I want to advance community development while cherishing the emotions nurtured by the land of Kurashiki.
Listening to the Aspirations of the Town of Kurashiki
"Community development" was, for me, a vague and ambiguous term.
It is easy to understand at first glance that a historical townscape remains in the central urban area of Kurashiki.
I recognized that preserving buildings was the only aspect of community development, and I did not consider anything beyond building preservation.
Upon hearing more details, specific challenges such as intergenerational transmission, vacant houses, and the establishment of new businesses, as well as the need for information sharing to implement these, became clear.
Furthermore, I began to understand why the term community development feels ambiguous.
Due to changes in social conditions, the responses required for community development also change.
Specific measures vary depending on the situation, which is likely why the term community development remains vague.
In other words, community development is about taking action while always listening to what the town is asking for.
In modern times, as situations change rapidly and complexly, it is essential for city halls, businesses, educational institutions, various organizations, and local residents to engage more deeply in community development.
I have learned that listening to the discussions of those living in a historic town and hearing the voice of the town is what community development is all about.
