A Study of the Multi-functionalization of the Cooperative Center in Hamamatsu City

Abstract

Hamamatsu City has been undergoing administrative and fiscal reforms as well as a ward reorganization since its absorption of neighboring districts in 2005 and its subsequent designation as an “ordinance-designated city” in 2007. Since that time, many of its social education facilities have been subsidized and supported by local government departments. Kominkan, too, have operated at the discretion of the city, and have worked to achieve flexible and efficient organizational management strategies and to find solutions to local issues. To this end, fulltime community affairs staff have been assigned to these facilities, which are now working to combine their community development functions with lifelong learning functions. Community affairs staff are therefore expected to develop expertise in (1) understanding the characteristics of the area and building face-to-face relationships through dialogue, (2) learning about the needs of residents and of local issues and turning them into learning events, (3) acting as a bridge between courses offered by the Kominkan and Kominkan circle activities, (4) coordinating resident-led community development, and (5) responding to and utilizing the media. Taking up the Tomitsuka Cooperative Center in Hamamatsu City as a case study, we examined how a grasp of local issues is essential for community development. The study also clarified the potential of social education to bring about solutions to local issues through the power of self-governance.