Sustainability of Community Environment Management through Collaboration among a Small Mountainous Community and Universities

Evaluation and Issues from Residents' Viewpoint in Case Study of Uruno District, Kozagawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture

Abstract

This study clarified rural residents’ opinions about and willingness of continuation and termination of collaborative activities for a community environment management among a small mountainous community and universities. We conducted a questionnaire survey in a small rural community in Wakayama prefecture. The result showed that the residents highly valued the collaborative activities as support in community environment management and opportunities of communication with participants from outside. Nevertheless, it has been getting difficult to continue the collaboration because residents’ aging progressed in ten years of collaboration. However, residents cannot adequately manage community environment by themselves, so it is necessary to acquire diverse collaboration channels with not only universities but also participants such as young residents and outsiders.