Department of Natural Resources

Regional Planning

SAIZEN Izuru, Professor
ASANO Satoshi, Associate professor

The Laboratory of Regional Planning (LRP) has been conducting studies on well-balanced regional developments in urban–rural areas, which are based on appropriate evaluation and utilization of regional resources. “Regional Resource” is a significant keyword in research activities associated with the LRP, and encompasses the human, cultural, historical, and natural resources that have existed in a particular region for a long time. Members of the LRP have been intending to solve social problems through intensive field surveys complemented by GIS and remote sensing technologies to maximize the utilization of “Regional Resources”. In many cases, members of the LRP work with stakeholders (academically addressed as co-design and coproduction); subsequently, they try to associate the results and findings of the study with responses of societal challenges. The current study topics are as follows:

Rural revitalization via a transdisciplinary approach (rural areas in Japan); land and regional resource management and regional resilience (Vietnam); rural studies for sustainable development (Indonesia, Philippines, India); regional identities and its impact on regional performance (Morocco); cultural landscape evaluation and sustainable development (India); and spatial data mining of local statistical data for regional planning.

Laboratory Web Site

Urban Infrastructure Design

KAWASAKI Masashi, Professor
YAMAGUCHI Keita, Associate Professor
TANIGAWA Riku, Assistant Professor

We study the urban and regional landscape, from nature to culture, by analyzing its spatial and temporal structure and transformation based on landscape analysis, design surveys, historical analysis, and community structure analysis. Furthermore, we explore how to design urban infrastructures that are in harmony with the cultural environment, and also study the goals and methodologies of urban and regional planning and design.

1）Landscape Analysis and Planning
We study hilly and mountainous landscapes, and landscapes with rivers and waterways that have formed a favorable environment and influenced the development of human culture. Specifically, we use GIS and CG systems to analyze topography, carry out site analysis, and examine view characteristics. Through this, we explore various normative landscape design methods and different ways of ensuring sustainable landscape management.

2）Landscape Conservation and Regeneration, Urban and Regional Design
We study the characteristics of urban and regional landscapes by focusing on their formation processes, relevant factors, and relationships with infrastructure. The specific targets are mainly cultural landscapes and infrastructures such as parks and green spaces. In addition, we study the possibilities of urban and regional design by evaluating the social structures that make up the landscape and examining the mechanisms of sustainability and transformation of landscape formation systems.

3）Roles of Social Networks in Cities and Regions
We study the formation and function of the social networks (the connections between people in a community), including during extraordinary times such as disasters. Using a variety of methods such as fieldwork and mathematical modeling, we explore the nature of social infrastructure and sustainable societies, taking social networks into account.

Laboratory Web Site

Environmental Photo-ceramic Chemistry

TANABE Setsuhisa, Professor
XU Jian, Assistant Professor

We are developing inorganic ceramic and glass materials which contribute to next-generation photonic technologies that enable eco-friendly technology by utilizing functions of light. The material design and fabrication of these photonic materials are conducted through characterization of their optical properties, leading to the development of light-storing materials, wavelength-converting materials that enhance the efficiency of solar-cells, optical amplifying glasses enabling longdistance telecommunication, and infrared-to-visible wavelength upconversion materials.

Laboratory Web Site

Terrestrial Microbiology and Systematics

TANAKA Chihiro, Professor
YOSHIMI Akira, Associate Professo
TAKEUCHI Yuko, Assistant Professor

Many microbes live in agricultural and forest ecosystems, and are interacting with plants and other organisms. Some of these microbes are parasitic to the plants bringing severe damages to the hosts, and some other microbes are mutualistic bringing benefits to the hosts. We are studying on these microbes and the nature of interactions between the microbes and their biotic and abiotic environments to develop new approaches for plant protection and its health. Our current interests are:

• Fungal systematics.
• Studies on physiology and ecology of plant pathogens and symbionts.
• Molecular analyses of the fungal specific characters in parasitism and symbiosis (hyphal development, spore morphogenesis, colonization and penetration on/to solid substrates).

Terrestrial Ecosystems Management

FUNAKAWA Shinya, Professor
SHINJO Hitoshi, Associate Professor
SHIBATA Makoto, Assistant Professor

Our continued existence depends heavily upon terrestrial ecosystems that include air, water, soils, plants and animals. We also influence the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems and act as one of the components. The recent increase in human activities adversely affects ecosystems and the environment at both the local and global levels, in the form of desertification, water and soil pollution and land degradation.

Our laboratory is engaged in a broad range of studies on terrestrial ecosystems management. The study topics include soil characterization, fertility mechanisms and maintenance, the utilization and conservation of soil resources, the mechanism of soil degradation and its remediation, and the reappraisal of indigenous agro-ecosystems management techniques in the humid and semi-arid tropics. We also study holistic approaches to rural development and ecosystems management that can be used to enhance human welfare and security in Japan, Asia and Africa.

Laboratory Web Site

Integrated Environmental Studies

TAKEMAE Yumiko, Assistant professor
TADA Yuto, Assistant Professor
ISHIKAWA Raga, Program Specific Assistant Professor
KANDPAL Richa, Assistant Professor
KAWAGUCHI Kohei, Program Specific Assistant Professor

The Laboratory of Integrated Environmental Studies was launched to facilitate interdisciplinary and integrative research activities in environmental studies. Given the multitude of specialized fields that the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies (GSGES) encompasses, this research laboratory covers all aspects of global environmental studies and carries out research projects on specific topics in collaboration with other GSGES laboratories, thus promoting research work for the GSGES at large. Specific research topics include: solutions for sustainable regional development and global environmental conservation by way of dynamic analyses of resource circulation on both a global scale and within regional ecosystems; the framework of human and environmental symbiosis; policies and techniques aimed at serving common global interests; and technologies and technological criteria appropriate for an environmentally balanced civilization. These individual research initiatives contribute to the promotion of studies at the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Global Ecology, and Department of Technology and Ecology.