Dissertation Project Vesting (Abstract)

Participation and Representation in Times of Demographic Change: Creating Sustainable Cities From the Bottom Up

(Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Gabriele Vogt, LMU)

Abstract

In the wake of a rapidly ageing and shrinking society and the increasing effects of climate change among others, Japan is facing multiple challenges. Not only Japan's rural regions, but also larger cities, such as Kyoto, are directly experiencing the effects of demographic change. Although many students are flocking to the city, there is a high level of fluctuation and many are turning towards job opportunities in other cities and regions upon graduation. In addition, many families can no longer afford city life and are thus moving to the surrounding areas, which leads to a dwindling tax-paying population. Added to this is the imbalance in public finances, over tourism and increasing extreme heat in summer.

Moreover, shrinking regions and cities pose considerable challenges for infrastructure planning and, as the population continues to age, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the nationwide infrastructure. Measures are therefore needed that can respond flexibly to these diverse challenges. The question arises as to how these complex and diverse problems can be overcome in an ageing society and how social resilience and sustainability in this process can be strengthened. To this end, it is essential to include the voice of citizens from all walks of life in the urban planning process.

Drawing on the concepts of civil society and grassroots movements, social innovation and the theory of participatory planning, I pose the following research questions:

How can we create cities that meet current and future needs, and how can we involve as many people as possible in this process? What integrative and interactive approaches do already exist?

What strategies are currently in place in Japan? Are these implemented top-down or are more interactive and inclusive forms of urban planning being used?

What is the dynamic between local and state actors in the urban planning process?

What are the needs, expectations and desires of the different social groups? How do they visualize the city of the future? Are their voices heard and how can they contribute to urban planning?

A particular focus lies on projects that deal with intergenerational machizukuri (micro town planning with bottom-up character), urban and social sustainability and resilience. Also, the activities of young people (especially students) will be analyzed in more detail. In doing so, I draw on initial results from field research in Kyoto from April to September 2024.