Category: #everydaylife

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Fieldwork Report: Insights from Sydney’s Alleyway Revitalization


During a recent fieldwork trip to Sydney, funded by Senshu University, we examined the revitalization of urban alleyways in Darlinghurst’s Crown Lane, Surrey Hills, and McElhone Place. These neighborhoods showcase how alleyways have been transformed into vibrant social, cultural, and economic hubs.

Crown Lane (Darlinghurst)
Originally serving as a functional route for industrial and commercial activities, Crown Lane in Darlinghurst has become a bustling mixed-use space. The new Sydney Street program on November 2 2024 was a standout feature, blending cultural expression with commercial vitality (more here https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/sydney-streets-on-crown-street). Initiatives like this have significantly boosted foot traffic and economic activity while preserving the historical essence of the area.

Surrey Hills
Surrey Hills has a rich history, transitioning from a residential area supporting the garment industry to a vibrant cultural hub. The alleyways now serve as venues for artistic expression and community gatherings. Crown Street, in particular, hosts the annual Surry Hills Festival, which turns the neighborhood’s alleyways into dynamic stages for art and music (more here https://shnc.org/surry-hills-festival) This cultural vibrancy has enhanced community engagement and established Surrey Hills as a key cultural destination in Sydney.

McElhone Place
Known as “Cat Alley” due to its feline residents, McElhone Place in Woolloomooloo has been transformed into a serene, green urban retreat. Community-led initiatives have introduced extensive greenery and art, creating a peaceful and aesthetically pleasing space. The lane has become a model for community-driven urban renewal, highlighting the potential of small spaces to foster environmental sustainability and social cohesion (more here https://thedesignfiles.net/2015/05/cat-alley)

What Tokyo Can Learn

Tokyo can gain valuable insights from the revitalization efforts in Crown Lane, Surrey Hills, and McElhone Place: Engaging residents in the planning and transformation of alleyways ensures that the spaces meet local needs and foster a sense of ownership. This can be achieved through workshops, art projects, and participatory urban planning. Tokyo’s alleyways, rich in history and culture, could be revitalized by preserving their historical character while integrating modern amenities such as sustainable infrastructure, improved lighting, and seating areas. Implementing green features like community gardens, rainwater harvesting systems, and eco-friendly materials can enhance the ecological resilience of Tokyo’s alleyways, making them greener and more livable. Furthermore it can be argued that Tokyo can transform its alleyways into vibrant cultural spaces by hosting festivals, art exhibitions, and community events, similar to the Surry Hills Festival. This could foster a sense of community and attract both residents and tourists. Ensuring that revitalization efforts benefit all residents, including long-standing businesses, is crucial. The final report will suggest poicies to maintain affordable rents and support local entrepreneurs, preserving the unique character of its neighborhoods.

Open Words and Next Steps in Comparative Analysis
The revitalization of Sydney’s alleyways in Darlinghurst, Surrey Hills, and McElhone Place demonstrates the potential of these spaces to enhance urban resilience, community cohesion, and cultural vibrancy. Tokyo can adopt similar strategies to transform its own alleyways into thriving urban spaces that reflect the city’s rich cultural heritage and modern urban needs. This fieldwork provided a valuable foundation for future fieldwork planned in Taipei, Seoul and other cities with a focus on community-driven, sustainable, and inclusive urban revitalization initiatives, Tokyo could learn from.

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Euljiro, Seoul: Dynamic Neighbourhood of Change

During a recent visit to Seoul we were able to visit Euljiro, a significant and evolving neighborhood, which serves as a vivid illustration of the intersection between history and modernity, community and gentrification. Originally established during the Joseon Dynasty as a central area for governmental offices, Euljiro has transformed through various historical epochs—each leaving its own layer of influence on the district. During the Japanese occupation, the region was heavily industrialized, which continued into the post-liberation era, shaping Euljiro as a vital industrial hub.

The social and economic dynamics of Euljiro are reflective of a district caught between its historical significance and the pressures of modern development. Its economy has been traditionally anchored by small-scale industries, such as printing and metalwork, which have defined its character for decades. However, the area is also undergoing rapid changes due to gentrification. The rising appeal of ‘Hipjiro’ to younger generations and entrepreneurs has led to an influx of new businesses, including trendy cafes, bars, and cultural venues, juxtaposed against the traditional workshops and hardware stores.

These transformations have not been without struggle. The traditional businesses and older residents face the risk of displacement as property values soar and the area’s character shifts. Gentrification has sparked a complex debate involving community preservation, economic development, and cultural heritage. Efforts to designate parts of Euljiro as heritage sites or special industrial zones attempt to balance these forces, aiming to maintain the unique identity of the area while accommodating growth and modernization.

The future of Euljiro is a topic of vibrant discussion. There are initiatives to blend the old with the new by integrating historical preservation with modern urban planning. This involves supporting the older industries while also promoting Euljiro as a cultural and artistic hub. The challenge lies in ensuring that development is inclusive and respects the district’s rich history.

Conceptually, Euljiro embodies the ongoing global conversation about urban renewal and gentrification. It highlights critical questions about how cities evolve and who benefits from these changes. The district’s ongoing transformation is a case study in managing growth in a way that honors its past, supports its present residents, and welcomes new opportunities. This makes Euljiro not just a physical space, but a living dialogue about the future of urban life and community cohesion.

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2023 Review and 2024 Outlook for Academic Engagement and Research

As we transition into a new academic year this April, we reflect on an eventful 2023 and anticipate the opportunities that 2024 holds for our students, especially those who have navigated their academic journey from the onset of their education in 2020 through the challenges of COVID-19, to studying abroad in 2022. As we continued throughout the year, it was a pivotal moment for many, marking the final year for some students. It’s with great honor to guide both returning and new students through an enriching learning experience centered on communication, connections, and the vibrant creativity and dynamism of the city.

In 2023, students embarked on significant academic endeavors, delving into new research projects aimed at addressing pressing contemporary issues such as the challenges facing post-pandemic public spaces, the quest for urban sustainability and diversity, and enhancing urban-rural linkages. These projects are crucial for understanding the common and distinct problems of urban and rural Japan. Our academic year was enriched with a variety of initiatives, including:

  • Seminar Cities, Culture, and Everyday Life
  • Research Project Tokyo Diversity
  • Investigations into “Subculture Spaces”,
  • Studies on “Urban-Rural Linkages (Rethinking Rural Japan)”,
  • And fostering “Critical Thinking towards Sustainability”.

As 2023 unfolded, students reached significant milestones in their research endeavors. They completed their initial findings by the first semester, refining their research questions in the following term. This process involved extensive data collection and analysis, culminating in the summarization of their insights in their final graduation thesis. The year was also marked by increased engagement with the outside world, including professional meetings, guest lectures, exploratory walks around Tokyo, and a seminar trip, enriching their academic and practical understanding of the subjects at hand.

Looking ahead to 2024, we aim to build on this foundation with plans to deepen our exploration of the critical themes introduced. The focus will be on advancing our understanding of how urban and rural dynamics interplay with cultural and sustainability issues in Japan. We will continue to support our students in their academic and research pursuits, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to achieve their full potential. This year promises to be another step forward in our continuous effort to contribute to the broader discourse on urbanism, sustainability, and societal well-being.

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Kobe as Blueprint for Urban Resilience and Community Revival 

The Kobe Fieldwork, conducted at the beginning of November 2023, aimed to examine the town planning mechanisms implemented by the city government to protect diverse communities and strengthen their resilience. Upon arrival, we commenced our visit to Mount Rokko, observing the city’s development since the 1995 Earthquake. Our exploration included the recovery process and a visit to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial Museum, which featured a guided tour and a movie screening. 

 The following day, we delved into the history of the foreign settlement quarter and explored the local farmers market, renowned for its innovative approach to connect producers, consumers, and people from various backgrounds. The market, held every Saturday in a picturesque park, provided us with the opportunity to conduct interviews with over ten food stand operators, discussing their contributions to local farming, food security, and different recovery initiatives, as well as the establishment of local farm networks and distribution channels for wine, cheese, beer, and of course, vegetables. Additionally, we learned about collaborative workspaces, the utilization of akiya (vacant homes) for various purposes, startup promotions, and local tourism initiatives. 

The field trip concluded with a comprehensive tour of the Kobe harbor development, which included visits to the Tadao Ando Children’s Library, the Kiito Design Centre, and the Atoa Complex, along with the newly developed Tooth Tooth Food Market and the iconic Kobe Sign. The Kobe Fieldwork provided the participants with a broad spectrum of experiences, from historical sites and cultural landmarks to insights into disaster management and recovery strategies. More fieldtrips will follow in 2024.

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Pacific Rim Community Design 2023 Sendai:

Looking Back and Looking Forward: Community and Justice in Crisis

The Pacific Rim Community Design 2023 Sendai took place from 16-18 September 2023. At Day 1 all participants visited Futaba, a town erased by 3.11, the Futaba Disaster Museum and listed to the major and how the town tries to recover. He showed us around the derelict city hall where the time stood still and displayed the time of the event: 14.46pm at 3.11. Afterwards we had the opportunity to see one of the local elementary schools and how also here time stop suddenly when the triple disaster hit. Parents were able to pick up belongings some 7 years later, but some never did as the memory must have been too sad.

From former 6500 residents just 100 returned (09.2023) or moved here (e.g. newcomer) since the lifting of the evacuation order on 30 August 2022. Many areas near the destroyed coastal areas are mainly planned for work/shopping but not living or residential purposes (even though around the new JR Futaba station (which is located along the Joban line) new low rise housing is constructed at the moment, offering affordable and subsidied houses and apartments for rent).

Also many (new) companies settle in the area, some are still under construction, attracting even more companies as 70 percent of the construction cost can be covered by public funds. Newcomer who plan to settle in the town can receive 200man/ 16.000 Euro, returnees cannot receive this, which leads to more inner conflicts and shows how complex the situation is. Thanks to all who organized this tour, it was a very inspiring to see the development, even though the town might never recover fully.

On day 2 we visited the Tomioka Archive museum, its impressive installations which featured items which were collected from private homes (70 percents of the items on display) including clocks, calendars but also a wrecked police car which reminds the visitor of the tragedy of the triple disaster which caused so many death, not just immediately but also many years later (the Futaba museum mentioend a number of a total of 2337 disaster related death in Fukushima by 31 March 2023). Minachan who is working as story teller for a local NGO eventually joined us on a bus tour around Tomioka showing us the former shotengai (central shopping street), schools, station buildings and even the fundament of her own house which is she now rebuilding in Tomioka.

After lunch we visited the Tomioka winery which started 2014/2015 to plant vines to better use the area and create something for future generations. Three school friends (who are now in their 50s) came together, used their own land and funds to start the procedure and continue to realize the project with the help of crowdfunding and many volunteers to finally to suceed to produce 500 bottles per year (as of 2022). Most of the bottles go to the crowdfunders, volunteers and all people involved but they have high hopes to be able to sell wine very soon to the general public. More about their initiave can be found here: https://tomioka-wine.com/

Our final stop brought us to Namie Cafe and the Ocafe, which is the initiave of a former residents and other women to tell the stories of 3.11 and their survivor.s Oka-san rebuilt and opens her house as cafe to all who want to know more about the disaster which especially hit Namie town but also many other local communities so hard. We listed to three kamishibai stories, narrated by three amazing women who work effortless to create a local network to which we should listen to and learn from so that such disaster will not happen again. If you are in the area, give them a call, surely they are welcoming you: https://ocafe-utuwa.mystrikingly.com/

On monday all participants came together at the Tohoku Universitie’s International Research Institute of Disaster Science – IRIDeS together to discuss their impressions, listen to different researchers and finally to poster presentations who featured many new ideas. Many thanks to all the organizers for all the efforts, energy and time as they took months to prepare this event, lets not just talk but realize how to create livable communities.

Ocafe is growing 1000 Sakuratrees to give to schools and other groups

More infos can be found here:

Pacific Rim Community Design Network: https://www.facebook.com/prcdnet/

Futaba Disaster Museum: https://www.fipo.or.jp/lore/

Tomioka Archive Museum: https://www.manamori.jp/museum/

Tomioka Winery:

トップページ

Ocafe: https://www.instagram.com/ocafe_utuwa/?igshid=ci0650y10mu9

http://josen.env.go.jp/plaza/about/communication/michisagashi/2008_01/

Sample Kamishibai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0bFbkxj2uU&feature=shared&fbclid=IwAR2Vt4ZBZszjawTLnkJX5TggNFGoZiqYdZgRGoKVDzPFG0PX0O_3r6i9xfI

International Research Institute of Disaster Science – IRIDeS: https://irides.tohoku.ac.jp

Japanese summary

過去を振り返り、今後を展望: 危機に瀕するコミュニティと正義

パシフィック・リム・コミュニティ・デザイン2023仙台は、2023年9月16日から18日まで開催されました。1日目では、参加者全員が3.11によって消滅した双葉町を訪れ、双葉災害資料館を訪れ、橋本少佐と町がどのように復興しようとしているのかについて説明しました。 彼は時間が止まった廃墟の市庁舎を案内し、3.11午後14時46分の時刻を表示した。 その後、私たちは地元の小学校を訪問しましたが、ここでも三重災害が発生したときに突然時間が止まりました。 両親は約7年後に遺品を引き取ることができたが、思い出があまりにも悲しかったため、引き取りに行かなかった人もいた。

2022年8月30日に避難命令が解除されて以来、元住民6500人のうち、ここに戻ったり移住したりしたのはわずか100人（例：新参者）だ。沿岸地域に近い多くの地域は、主に仕事や買い物を目的として計画されており、居住や居住目的ではない（たとえその周辺であっても）。 新しいJR双葉駅（常磐線沿いに位置し、現在新しい低層住宅が建設されており、手頃な価格の住宅とアパートの賃貸を提供しています）

また、建設費の70％が公的資金で賄えるため、多くの（新規）企業がこの地域に定住し、中にはまだ建設中の企業もあり、来年には町への移転を計画するさらに多くの企業を引き寄せた。 町に定住する予定の新参者は200人/16,000ユーロを受け取ることができますが、帰国者はこれを受け取ることができません。これはさらなる内部対立につながり、状況がいかに複雑であるかを示しています。 このツアーを企画してくれた皆さんのおかげで、町が完全に回復することは決してないかもしれないにもかかわらず、発展を目の当たりにすることができてとても感動しました。

2日目に私たちは富岡資料館を訪れました。その印象的なインスタレーションには、時計やカレンダーなどの個人宅から収集された品物（展示品の70パーセント）が展示されていましたが、大破したパトカーも展示されており、訪問者に東日本大震災の悲劇を思い出させました。 この三重災害は、直後だけでなく何年も後にも非常に多くの死者を出した（双葉博物館は、2023年3月31日までに福島県内で合計2,337人の災害関連死亡者数を発表している）。 地元のNGOでストーリーテラーとして働いているミナちゃんは、最終的に富岡周辺のバスツアーに参加し、かつての商店街、学校、駅舎、さらには現在富岡で再建中の自宅の基礎まで見せてくれました。

昼食後、富岡ワイナリーを訪れました。このワイナリーは、この地域をより有効に活用し、将来の世代に何かを生み出すためにブドウの木を植えることを2014年から2015年に始めました。 学生時代の友人3人（現在50代）が集まり、自分たちの土地と資金を使ってプロジェクトをスタートさせ、クラウドファンディングと多くのボランティアの助けを借りてプロジェクトを実現し続け、ついに年間500本を生産することに成功した（現在）。 2022年）。 ボトルのほとんどはクラウドファンディング、ボランティア、関係者全員に寄付されますが、彼らはすぐにワインを一般向けに販売できるようになることに大きな期待を寄せています。 彼らの取り組みの詳細については、こちらをご覧ください: https://omioka-wine.com/

私たちの最後の目的地は、元住民や他の女性たちが 3.11 とその生存者の物語を伝える活動を行っている「Namie Cafe and the Ocafe」です。 岡さんは、特に浪江町だけでなく他の多くの地域社会を襲った災害についてもっと知りたい人たちに自宅を再建し、カフェとしてオープンしました。 私たちは、このような災害が二度と起こらないように、私たちが耳を傾け、学ぶべき地元のネットワークを作るために努力している3人の素晴らしい女性によって語られる3つの紙芝居をリストしました。 お近くにお住まいの場合は、ぜひお電話ください。きっと歓迎いたします: https://ocafe-utuwa.mystrikingly.com/

月曜日には、参加者全員が東北大学災害科学国際研究所 IRIDeS (https://irides.tohaku.ac.jp) に集まり、感想を話し合ったり、さまざまな研究者の話を聞いたり、最後に多くの新しい研究者によるポスター発表を行いました。 アイデア。 このイベントの準備に数か月を費やしたすべての努力、エネルギー、時間に感謝します。ただ話すだけでなく、住みやすいコミュニティを作る方法を実現しましょう。

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Chiyoda Diaries Documentary

In May students started to prepare a new series of interviews for the upcoming screening of a documentary about everyday life and challenges in Tokyo’s neighbourhoods, this time focussing on Jinbocho, Kanda. The aim it is to highlight the challenges the residents and visitors face everyday to live and access this neighbourhood. This forms a unique chance for the students to conduct town walks and interviews at the same time, documenting their work and research not just in form of fieldnotes, visual sketches but also videomaterial which they can utilize to recall the fieldwork and support their findings.

As the work just started, the time of the screening and exhibition will be announced at a later date. More can be found here: https://heideimai.com/seminar-cities-culture-and-everyday-life-2022%e5%b9%b4%e5%be%8c%e6%9c%9f/

Image taken at https://www.instagram.com/coffeehousedue/

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New Semester 2023

After some eventful weeks, a new semester and academic year has started in April. We will enter the second year back F2F and final year for some of the students who started at this faculty in 2020, survived covid-19 and went abroad in 2022. It will be my honor to guide these and all new students to learn more about communication, connections and the city which has so much creativity and dynamics to offer. In some new research project we will also address more current problems as post-pandemic public spaces under pressure, how to achieve urban sustainability/ diversity and support urban-rural linkages to learn more about urban and rural Japan common and different problems. A not complete list:

More updates can be found here https://heideimai.com/bio/ and here https://chiyolab.jp/archives/17284

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New Projects in 2023

After a slow start, new events and projects are emerging, including:

  1. A small book project with David Sim to show how to make cities for chidren
  2. A paper about subculture, covid-19 and urban borderlands
  3. A paper about the situation of creative industries during covid-19
  4. A new research project conducted with seminar students to show the diversity of Tokyo
  5. A new research project to discuss Tokyo’s future between tradition and modernity (including aspects as urban waterways, highways and micro plots)
  6. Presentations scheduled for New York, Melbourne and London
  7. Urban walks with professional urban planners scheduled for March and April
  8. New courses including sustainable career design and advanced urban theory starting in April and September.

More infos will follow soon

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Nikkei Shinbun Interview 7/12/2022

Recently our seminar was interviewed by Nikkei Shinbun. We talked about the fieldwork we currently conduct in Kanda Jinbocho and we were more than delighted to introduce the journalists to the connections we made overthe last months in the local community and how this will help to improve the character of this neighbourhood.

The article can be found here: /https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUB256M20V21C22A1000000/

English Version:

Senshu University, School of International Communication, Learning Culture through Experiences in Exchange
2022/12/07 Nihon Keizai Shimbun Morning Edition Page 31

　Senshu University’s School of International Communication is a new faculty created in the 2020 academic year. It provides opportunities for fieldwork, study abroad, and practical educational experiences. It aims to develop human resources who are well versed in Japanese culture and cross-cultural understanding and who can respond to globalization.
　In late November, five students from the Faculty of Intercultural Communication visited Yamatoya Shokumoten, a long-established geta store in Kanda Jimbocho, Tokyo. The purpose of their visit was to report their findings through SNS (social networking site).
　The store rents a part of the store to other kimono businesses. On the day of the visit, haori (Japanese traditional haori coat) and hand towels using a technique called chusen (tie-dyeing) were on display. Ryuhei Funabiki, the fifth-generation owner of the store, explained that he wanted to convey the charm of kimono, and the students exchanged opinions, saying, “It looks good even when worn over Western clothes.
　Associate Professor Imai Heide, who is teaching the seminar students, is from Germany and has practical experience in architecture and urban design. “Without the backing of a culture that is easy to empathize with, a community cannot be created. I hope to make students aware of this through a familiar city,” she says about the aim of this fieldwork.
　

The Faculty of International Communication has approximately 700 students in the Department of Intercultural Communication and the Department of Japanese Language. In the first year, all students learn the basics of Japanese culture and cross-cultural understanding. After that, each department cultivates expertise through study abroad, seminars, and practical experience.
　Communication across borders requires not only the ability to understand and use language, but also an understanding of cultural diversity and universality. In order to enable students to study a wide variety of topics, the department has assembled a faculty specializing in languages and interdisciplinary themes. Dean Tetsuro Negishi explains the department’s aim: “We provide students with a three-dimensional approach to the world and society.
　The Department of Intercultural Communication places emphasis on fieldwork and other practical activities. For the first time at Senshu University, students are required to study abroad. Department Chair Kenro Suzuki says, “We hope that students will gain a broad understanding of communication through local experiences.
　The Japanese Language Department, on the other hand, teaches Japanese as a global lingua franca. The students will deepen their knowledge in a practical manner by utilizing literature and materials. The leftward-facing face on the wall visually indicates the rule of reading characters from the left,” he said. Tomoe Konno, a second-year student in Professor Tatsuya Saito’s seminar on Japanese phonology and notation, shows and explains a manuscript of the “Shinkokin Wakashu.
　In Professor Saito’s seminar, students choose a subject of their choice, compile their findings into panels, and display them in the university library. Professor Saito says, “We devise ways for students to learn practical skills such as presentation, planning, and negotiation through the transmission of Japanese language. Journalists and actors are invited as lecturers to deepen students’ practical understanding of the Japanese language.
　For students who wish to become Japanese language teachers, a program to teach Japanese at schools in Japan and abroad is also available. More and more foreigners are becoming interested in Japan through animation and food culture. We will nurture human resources who can transmit the Japanese language, backed up by academic studies, to foreign countries.
　For the department, which focuses on real-life exchanges, the outbreak of the new coronavirus was a blow to the department. Some students had to postpone their planned study abroad programs. On the other hand, there were some positive outcomes, such as the start of online Japanese language joint research with a Croatian university with which the department had been in contact.
　The 2023 academic year will see the first graduates of the program. Dean Negishi is enthusiastic, saying, “We hope to send out people who can make use of what they have learned through their five senses in society.”

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Chiyoda-ku – diversity, differences and divisions

With the start of a new research project, which is part of the Chiyoda Studies Project(千代田学) students, staff and teachers aim to obtain diverse opinions and suggestions from a wide range of community members to analyse how the everyday life in Chiyoda-ku, especially in the Kudanshita, Jimbocho and Ogawamachi neighbourhoods has changed. In accurately reflecting on the diverse opinions of the residents, we can consider and develop better approaches for the revitalization of local communities and re-integrate various policies, including different machizukuri, tourist and local branding plans.

2022-2044 Next Steps include:

Understanding the local community setup

Interviewing different members of the community

Reflecting on the different social problems (as result of in depth data analysis)

Formulating and Suggesting specific approaches for each community

More updates can be found on

Seminar 2022/23 Cities, Culture and Everyday Life

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Studio Gross and OGU MAG

OGU

2021 is almost half way done and its always good to make new connections to learn more about the most urgent issues living in this megalopolis. Studio Gross is run by Anne and Sebastian Gross and they established a place which is not only caring to discover but also serving the local neighbourhood in e.g. renovating old and vacant akiya (houses) and organizing events, exhibitions and talks in a local studio they rent inside the long shotengai (shopping street) in Ogu, North Tokyo. Features is the recent renovation of OGU MAG. Looking forward to some great collaboration projects.

They do so much more, so have a look at their website and other social media accounts:

http://studio-gross.de/

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Teaching in times of Corona

The new semester has not even started yet, but behind the scenes we had some busy weeks to prepare for the start of online classes next week. I am honest if I say that it will be a huge challenge for everybody involved, especially for the new students.

Therefore each week and topic will be as interactive as possible, with videos, chats and different online live activities. I am not sure how long it will be like this but I think we have to prepare for a dual system (on and offline) for the coming months.

It is also out of question that this is a challenging time for everybody out there, starting with small businesses, young and elderly, single and families, but it might be the best to see it also as a chance to rethink our current lifestyle, finding new ways to support each other and the local community.

This might be the chance to improve our daily life in cities and the public spaces we use, appreciate and need to voice our concerns, starting with political, social, environmental and cultural issues we should be addressed now to improve our society as a whole. For this purpose we are preparing some new research and fieldwork projects to be announced soon.