2002 Volume 8 Pages 13-18
It is today that most substantial attention is paid to river environment and its related problems in the history. Since the concept of "conservation and restoration of river environment" was addressed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, a lot of new research themes have been explored in interdisciplinary areas between engineering and ecological / biological studies. Many new and revised policies by the Ministry that enhance this concept have also encouraged these researches. Further progresses of widening and deepening the research are strongly expected, that may need restructuring of research units / organisations.
This paper consists of three major contents. Firstly the history and background of "conservation and restoration of river environment" are explored, mainly through the issues and policies taken by the Ministry. Secondly current research topics are examined through the papers presented at this symposium. The papers are categorised into four major groups and their up-to-date results are summarised. And finally a methodology of the further progresses of the research is considered, in how to bind up a good collaboration / organisation in an interdisciplinary area.
