A Study of the Status of and Challenges Faced by City Halls as Civic Collaboration Hubs

–Focusing on the Role of Intermediary for Civic Life Concerns–

Abstract

This study was based on research interests of the new aspect of city halls as civic collaboration hubs and their role as an intermediary. Nowadays, many Japanese local municipalities are facing demands for city hall reconstruction due to building deterioration and lack of structural strength. At the same time, local government policy increasingly depends on citizen collaboration and social networking in accordance with decentralization. Therefore, we evaluated the status of and examined the challenges faced by newly built collaboration-based city halls in the cities of Nagahama, Ishinomaki and Nagaoka, all locations showing strong interest in the role of intermediary for civic life concerns. We have concluded that the performance as an intermediary and the strength of social networking favorably characterized the functions of each facility. Thus, we proposed an appropriate procedure which enhances a city hall's function as a civic collaboration hub.