Structural and Philosophical Features of an Effective Communication Space for Cultivating Sensibility on Rivers and River Management

- A Case Study of Iikawa and Iikawa-dukuri Workshop -

Abstract

In the area of community-based natural resource management, the increasing difficulty of maintaining community groups and for them to keep carrying out their activities is a serious challenge. In order to search for a way to solve this situation, this study aims at describing the key structural and philosophical points of an effective communication space that cultivates a supportive network among the community groups, and amongst the individual members of the groups. The name of the focused communication platform is the Iikawa and Iikawa-dukuri Workshop. This is a long lasting annual award selection workshop event where the participants are encouraged through gaining confidence and feeling rewarded for their work caring for their local rivers. Through document analysis and in-field research, this study shows that there is a well-designed spatial forum with an open and creative structure, and a future-oriented philosophy that maintains moral safety in the communication during the workshop.