The Wandering Design: A New Perspective on Community Engagement

Abstract

This study explores a new approach to community design in Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture. After the earthquake, the town’s population significantly declined, making planned community development challenging. Instead, the study proposes the concept of "Buranner," a role that creates value by being passively "drawn into" local activities rather than actively planning them. As part of the research, the author lived in the town and operated "Ohinan-chi," a community hub where spontaneous interactions between young people and residents led to new initiatives. "Buranner" fosters natural connections and revitalizes communities. However, further research is needed to analyze the necessary qualities of a Buranner and to develop systems for integrating them into the community.