Functions of Community Bases that Promote Going-Out in Depopulated Areas of Hokkaido

Abstract

The public and private sectors are working to create community bases, which are vital from the perspective of community development, for various people from within and outside depopulated areas in Japan. However, the establishment of several bases is harder in depopulated areas than in urban areas. Moreover, such bases should be created efficiently. This study aims to clarify the functions of community bases that encourage residents to visit them, propose characteristics of ideal community bases, and suggest measures that should be implemented to promote visits. An attitude survey on community bases and going-out activities was conducted in three depopulated areas in Hokkaido, and a model of visits to community bases was constructed. Findings showed that the presence of staff that visitors can talk with significantly encourages residents in Hamamasu Ward to visit community bases.