This study aims to clarify relationship between intention to permanently reside and cognitive degree of improvement of living environment in the 49 cities, Japan. These cities were typed five groups based on the features of urban area, and then the feature of each group was explained. The obtained results are shown as follows: 1) It was clarified that the respondents over 70 percent had intention to permanently reside. 2) In cognitive degree of improvement of living environment, the respondents thought that they are residing in the dowelling space which is accessible to a commercial facilities or a city center. Usability of public transportation, accessibility to city center, etc. are strongly correlated with the type of urban areas. 3) Using structural equation model, it was clarified that the ambience of living environment had affected intention to permanently reside of the residents.

View full abstract

Public architecture spaces of ancient Pingyao have played a crucial role on local communication. This study is purposed to abstract composition essentials and representative characteristics of external spaces in them. The main aspects reviewed focus on five public architectural complexes with their external space distribution, composition essentials, spaces arrangement order, entrances allocation and the kinetonema. The conclusion are 1) the space distribution is profoundly influenced by feudal politics and etiquette culture; 2) main worship areas are in the same composition essentials and space arrangement; 3) space transition order of “from external to internal” are shared in all these public architectures, helping visitors for physiology preparation; 4) the main entrance is centralized on southern side in the traditional construction model of China; 5)subordinate entrances are seldom applied for sake of high quality privacy; and 6) kinetonemas are similar in Taoism and Confucianism architectures, but different from in Buddhism.

View full abstract

Currently, management staffs for Kairakuen park manage with little regard to the way in users needs and the facilities need to be improved to match the user activities. In addition, visitors of this park can enjoy not only a lot of plums but also various flowers and trees throughout the year. Therefore, we conducted surveys on the use of the Kairakuen Park throughout all seasons, and surveyed the location of park facilities and flowering trees using GPS. Finally, this paper discovered new maintenance ways of attracting visitors by understanding the current use of the park in terms of visitor behavior and the changes brought by the four seasons.

View full abstract

The research analyzes the presentation and characters of character color painting of gallery in the Summer Palace in literature, Tale and Legend. On the base of investigation, 178 character color paintings are selected from 1400 building color paintings, and their sources, ages and locations are studied. The result is: there are many theme, such as temperament, ambition and pursuits of beautify of “ chivalry ” , “ swordsman ” and “ emotion ” , heroes and beauties at different ages and their justice, conspiracy, friendship, perfidy and delusion with their strength, skill, wisdom and trick. At the same time, it considers the combination of courtyard space. It is the epitome of politics, economic, military, religion, royalty, people life and custom of ancient China.

View full abstract

This study developed the facilitator training program and conducted the experimental workshop to clarify the effect of this program. Analyzing products and questionnaires, following conclusions are derived; Multi opinions and experiences were shared with participants through the 'Two Choices Game' and 'Mini Workshop'. Especially, these points are considered essential factors to secure the enough discussion, practice opportunities and evaluation opportunities. On the other hand, it was implied to delete the communication type test that showed low level satisfaction. Moreover, it can be suggested to use Two Choices Game as ice-break to secure the time for feedback.

View full abstract

Recently over fifty thousand chemicals have been used in the Japan market. The necessity of chemical management and risk communication is increasing more and more. In this study, a risk communication work-study method with role playing technique for graduate students was suggested. This method was tried three times, and the educational effect was surveyed. It was confirmed that the students understood the important points of risk communication, and the teacher's remarks promoted learning effects.

View full abstract

It has been impossible to make use of on-site sampling data in hypothetical travel cost method traditionally. However, it can reduce sampling costs and can make an evaluation unlimitedly in location requirement. This paper tries to evaluate a value of environmental quality by hypothetical travel cost method using on-site sampling data. As a result, a new model is constructed which can resolve some problems of on-site sampling data, when it is clear that environmental quality is deteriorated, as “truncated data ” by using a few different likelihood functions and as “endogenous stratification ” by weighting the likelihood functions by frequency of visiting. Removing the bias correctly by this method, result of evaluation changes drastically compared with traditional method.

View full abstract

The green visibility ratio is used to green landscape evaluation, such that the evaluation that conformed it really is able to do it. We propose the method that the each view angle green visibility ratio is adopted. We do eye movement tracking analysis and questionnaire survey and we check the correlation with the each view angle green visibility ratio. From eye movement tracking analysis the view point to the still picture of subject is, in all of level and also vertical direction, a high frequency in center. Also, as a result of questionnaire survey, “ the environment ” and “ the green quantity ” in terms of the each view angle green visibility ratio, the multiple correlation coefficient in the view angle 0 degree-5 degree, 10 degree-20 degree exceeded 5% of level of significance. Therefore, this method is an effective method in green landscape evaluation.

View full abstract

Climbing guides have several different roles such as showing the way, nature interpretation, and the like. The activities of the guides have a great influence on the quality of the climbers' experience. So, we planned to compare guided climbs and non-guided climbs at Mt. Fuji, a symbol of Japan and a historical holy mountain. The objectives of this study are 1) to grasp the profile of attributes of guided climbs and 2) to clarify the characteristics of guided climbs from the point of view of climbers' satisfaction. As a result, guided climbs has more females than non-guided and guides bring satisfaction for climbers by providing instructions and advices on the method of mountain-climbing.

View full abstract

The volunteer tour guide function is likely to influence the level of tourist's satisfaction because they want to have better understandings of culture, history and nature of the destination region. The purpose of the present paper is to make clear the effects of interactive information by volunteer tour guide. To analyze the various types of volunteer tour guide and the user's evaluation, we conducted a web survey on people who have experienced in using volunteer tour guide. The results were summarized as follows. As well as the guide's good personality and good rapport with tourist, detailed and unique information, interesting commentary and knowledge of the region which based on one's much zeal and attachment for the region were highly evaluated. That would bring the tourist a new motivation to visit again or travel to other destinations in the region.

View full abstract

This paper aims to clarify the requisites for farmers to have intentions to lend their farmland for allotment gardens. A questionnaire survey for farmers was carried out in Nasushiobara City and Otawara City in Tochigi Prefecuture. The main findings were as follows: 1)Fifty seven percent of the respondents had not knowledge of the green tourism, and 63 % indicated negative intention to promote the green tourism. 2)About 40 % showed latent intention of lending their farmland for allotment garden. 3)The important requisites were good maintenance of the land during the lending period, adequate rental fee, and mediation of public organizations.

View full abstract

In this study, we investigated and compared the play and physical motion of school children at a school with a turf school playground and a dust school playground using video footage, and determined the effects of a turf school playground on school children. The results showed that physical motion seen in play activities on the turf school playground consisted dominantly of physical contact between children such as hitting, pushing and direct contact with the surface of the turf such as sitting down, lying down, rolling. This suggests that the turf school playground may have an effect on improving physical ability and promoting good health.

View full abstract

Current research indicated the necessity of distinguishing the influence of different forms of social capital on health. In this study, we identified two forms of social capital namely, the generalized trust and the trust in members of a community. Datasets from survey questionnaires in the three cities in Kyoto prefecture (N = 9,293) were used to determine the influence between these forms on self-rated health. The results showed that there was more significant influence of the trust in members of a community on self-rated health than that of the generalized trust. These results also suggested that the trust in members of a community might serve as means for population health improvement.

View full abstract

In this paper, we defined wide-area transportation ton-kilometer that multiplied transportation distance by quantity of the transportation as wide-area transportation mileage of industrial waste and analyzed the possibility of it's reduction by using a linear minimization model. As a result, it was revealed that the wide-area transportation mileage of sludge could be reduced up to 80 % of total and up to 60% in the case of wood waste at most.

View full abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of zero-emission activities in food manufacturing industry. We grasp the tendency of the zero-emission activity in the entire food manufacturing industry, and clarify the characteristics of the 100 companies, paying attention to the environmental activities. The findings of this study can be summarized in the following two points: (1) The number of companies which achieve the zero-emission increases in the entire food manufacturing industry, and there are two groups of industries by the level of the zero-emission activity; (2) The 100 companies are classified into five types according to the characteristics of environmental activities based on the results of quantification method Ⅲ and cluster analysis, and these companies' environmental activities develop from passive or special type to excellent or positive type through general type as the zero-emission activity progresses.

View full abstract

In old capitals as Kyoto and Nara, to preserve the old capital landscape, municipal governments purchase the farmland under the system of " the Old Capitals' Landscape Preservation Law " and local farmers cultivate those farmland. However, the situation of cultivation is diversified by farmers' awareness, and as a result these situations influence the landscape. Therefore, I tried to analyze about relationship between farmland landscape and the farmers' attribute and awareness to cultivation by the evaluation of each purchased farmland landscape and the questionnaire to the farmers. As a result, it is showed that the farmers with strong awareness to farmland landscape are in severe situation to continue cultivation and instead of them the farmers with little awareness to farmland landscape are getting the farmland and cultivate. So that, in the future the landscape in Kita-Saga will be change to worse situation.

View full abstract

In this study, we deal with Chicago Park District, Friends of the Parks, NeighborSpace and Open Lands, and grasp about collaboration between Chicago Park District and these NPOs. NPO acquired the open space at the district level from the large area, and Friends of the Parks develop more active use after development and use beginning. A part of these open space are transfered these ownership and management to Chicago Park District. These situations show a collaboration of Chicago Park District and NPO from site securing strategy to park service.

View full abstract

This study was taken on the basis of a questionnaire from residents in Kamogawa city (Chiba pref.), Ena city (Gifu pref.) and Yusuhara town (Kochi pref.), about evaluation of organizations working at satoyama conservation activities. Approximately 90% respondents favored in injection of the taxpayers' money into conserving the area. The results of respondents' expectation among nonprofit organizations (NPOs), firms and public administration are as follows: Public administration is the best in Yusuhara town. On the other hand, NPOs are expected to be the best in Kamogawa city and Ena city. Firms are expected to be the worst in all three municipalities. The results also implied that public papers would improve residents' awareness about satoyama conservation.

View full abstract

Currently, amendment of Japanese constitution is under discussion. One of its main concerns is the wording of environmental rights based on the argument between provision of rights versus duty. This paper examines the reason behind the current discussion on environmental rights. Then it compares long lasting demands from the public to ensure environmental rights within environmental laws and reality of how the government has implemented environmental rights into law. Finally, in order for the public to practice environmental rights and participate in environmental decision making, the role of procedural rights is examined based on case studies from the Aarhus Convention.

View full abstract

To examine the influence that the difference of the participant's attributes exerted on the content of the remark, we recorded all remarks of the workshop. And, we did the classification and the cluster analysis on the remark. And then, we classified the content of the remarks and carried out the cluster analysis on it. As a result, The participant's attributes were classified with " A government office " and " Coordinator " , " An interested person " and " Specialist " , " Citizen " . In addition, it turned out that a role depending on the personal background was constructed in a participant's attribute with the contents of the argument. I thought that sharing in the role with making use of a characteristic of the each attribute was effective against one of the administration methods of the workshop by this study.

View full abstract

Public participation and " meningful replies " in it are essential to a successful SEA. In this context we looked into and appraised the public participation mandates of U.S. Forest Service which are regulated by the National Environment Policy Act. What we found are: the public participation mandates are instrumental to formulate democratic and transparent decision making process; the U.S. Forest Service has incrementally adapted itself to collaborative approach; perception and behavior of the foresters have become more pliant; and the meningful replies in the public participation are realized over time to achieve a successful SEA. The findings are suggestive to public participation in SEA for Japan.

View full abstract

In this study, to identify key factors for sustaining citizens' landscape conservation activities in Ohmi-Hachiman, Shiga, the authors traced the history and investigated the social network of pivotal players in the activities. As a result, it was suggested that the activities have been able to continue because of 1) emergence of new pivotal players, 2) existence of bridge persons going between conservation groups, and 3) presence of a steady-pivotal player.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study was to extract an original classification of environment and characteristics concerning an organized residents' activity from community health fields. This activity has been dealt with as an object of supporting by public health nurses. The self-reported questionnaire was mailed to community health institutions in Japan as a nationwide investigation. Of the total 1,797 institutions, 676 offices (37.6%), which included 738 public health nurses, returned the questionnaire. The quantification method of the third type was carried out in order to extract the classification of environment and characteristics concerning the activity. As a result, the factors were categorized by two axes, which were interpreted as " the arbitrary-nonarbitrary type " (the first axis) and " the rotation-recommendation type " (the second axis), on two-dimensional space. Furthermore, these types were characterized by the factor analysis with regard to the objectives of the activity from a multidimensional viewpoint.

View full abstract

The present study describes experiments conducted to purify biogas effluent, a byproduct of methane gas production, using a waste water purifying system, commonly referred to as a " Living Machine " , consisting of plants and a filter medium. The system using Elephant ear (Alocasia odora) reduced T-N from 436.5mg/L to 150.7mg/L at a rate of 14.3g/m²/day. The system using Canna (Canna generalis) reduced T-N from 347.9mg/L to 141.1mg/L at a rate of 10.3g/m²/day. Both systems successfully demonstrate the potential of plants to remove nutrient salts from high-concentrate effluent. The condition of both plant species was good, despite the effluent's high concentration. The results of this research suggest that a biomass production system utilizing biogas effluent in conjunction with hydroponics is possible.

View full abstract

Effect of sun-drying treatment of the bottom sediment in Hasynuma Seaside Park Pond was investigated. As results, 1) The dominant species of phytoplankton before the treatment was bacillariophyceae and cyanophyceae under eutrophicated water condition, 2) Water condition became mesotrophic level after the treatment and water bloom did not occur, 3) Re-eutrophication was observed two years after with Anabaena and Microcystis in summer and Cryptomonas in winter, were observed. From these outcomes, 4) Re-eutrophication (rebound) was caused by the sun-drying treatment which is very inpactive to the environment, was considered.

View full abstract

Effects of bamboo charcoal buried in soil on growth of seven plant species was traced without sprinkling during summer on the rooftop garden in Hiroshima University through a growing season. The growth of all species except for Nandina domestica increased significantly and dead plant was not observed in any species on the soil with charcoal, while many plants of two species (Rubus idaeus, Hedera helix ) were died in mid-summer on the soil without charcoal. The facts indicate that Nandina domestica is a strong tolerable species to water deficiency and most of species planted on the soil with charcoal are able to grow under little sprinkling even in summer.

View full abstract

Effects of bamboo charcoal buried in soil on its soil temperature and humidity were traced through a growing season in each box with 0, 5, 10, 20kg charcoal set up on the rooftop in the building of Hiroshima University. The soil temperature in day time was regulated lower, in particular, in summer in boxes with charcoal compared with the box without charcoal. The regulation became stronger with increasing charcoal. There is little difference in the soil humidity between boxes with and without charcoal in and just after rainfall. However, later the humidity in the box without charcoal decreased rapidly while that in the boxes with charcoal did gradually, and the humidity in the box with 20kg charcoal was maintained more than 40% of maximum water holding capacity even through summer.

View full abstract

The chemical behavior of dissolved major elements and heavy metals were investigated on the leachate from an abandoned industrial waste disposal site. The heavy metal concentrations in the river water downstream of the disposal site were in the range of background level around the investigation area. The river sediments, however, contained high concentration of heavy metals. This phenomenon was understood as the heavy metals such as Fe or Mn in the leachate are precipitated by the atmospheric oxidizing and are included into the river sediments.

View full abstract

This study aims at the effective use of waste such as waterworks sludge and construction debris to reduce odor in the living environment. We measured odor characteristics and adsorption capacity of waterworks sludge, wood chips, charcoal, bamboo chips and cedar bark by a fragrance and flavor analyzer that enables the measurements similar to the sensory test. The result showed that those wastes have adsorption capacity and are available as deodorizer. However, it is necessary to consider personal taste in the case of using bamboo chips and cedar bark since they have peculiar odor.

View full abstract

Recently there have been growing concerns over human-wildlife conflicts. Thus, public participation and their consensus building for wildlife damage management become important. In this research, we paid special attention to roles and potential of civil society organizations in stakeholder communication for wildlife damage management, using great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) damage management in Shiga prefecture as a case study. Our investigations suggested that civil society organizations would work as intermediaries between governmental organizations that implement management measures and other stakeholders such as residents, which seems, however, to be restricted by their aims and experiences.

View full abstract

The social concern with public participation in " Check " process in basic environmental plan has been growing. There are two types of external evaluation method. The one is to consult an evaluation committee consist of experts and another is to conduct a resident satisfaction survey which is often used in New Public Management. This paper discusses a new method of participatory evaluation that is to consult a taskforce composed of so called " Voluntary Investigator " . In order to get knowledge of this new method, this paper conducted a case study of " Osaka Citizen Taskforce for Environmental Investigation " .

View full abstract

This study clarified importance of the community learning around educational project in Hyogo named " the Nature School " and the ideal future for it from an evaluation by teacher of the elementary school of Hyogo and students who experienced the Nature School, after that entered a school in the field about local environmental management at a university. The results are as follows. 1) Students became to be interested in a creature. 2) Students were interested in a local creature and became to generate motivation of improvement at own local environment. 3) The importance of the following natural experiences was suggested by a workshop, " An experience of the fear " " An experience requires long time and great care " " An experience of community renovation " .

View full abstract

The objective of this study is to study general users' interests in environmental learning at Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo and compare the results among different generations. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 425 general users of Shinjuku Gyoen. The results showed differences among generations in terms of " Interesting event " . It became evident that interest in environmental learning is different among the young generation between 10 to 29, the generation with children between 30 to 49, and the middle age to senior generation of 50 and above: The young generation showed interest in " playing in nature " ; the generation with children showed interest in " letting children familiarize with nature " ; and the 50-year and above are interested in " obtaining knowledge about nature " . It is important to take generations into consideration upon providing nature learning in the future.

View full abstract

Recent research has showed that waste management policies in Tokyo 23 Ward do not reflect community social characteristics. This paper focuses on the concept of social capital and argues that pro-environmental behaviors are influenced by the characteristics of community social capital. Based on a survey (n=406) in Bunkyo ward, we found 1) positive associations between social capital and pro-environmental behaviors, and 2) two types of social capital promoting such behaviors, i.e. bonding social capital and bridging social capital. Results imply that recycling regulations in 23 wards should be implemented based on the nature of community social capital.

View full abstract

Reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD) have been one major topic of discussion in the climate change negotiations, and demonstration activities have been carried out in several counties. The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of co-benefit of REDD pilot project under community forestry (CF) in Cambodia. The study is based on a field survey conducted on the pilot project and its implementation system. The study identified that effectiveness of securing local people's livelihood under CF system is high, because of the support by the Forestry Administration as well as the utilizing of CCB standards. Although local organization under CF is still weak, CF management by local people could be implemented with supported by the Forestry Administration and the aid agency. Regarding the obstruction of forest management by external actors, the robust support by Forestry Administration could be prevented their intervention.

View full abstract

The durability of steel pipeline system decreases easily due to such corrosion effects in soil conditions. For effective maintenance and management of pipeline system, it is necessary to evaluate not only the water-flow but also the degree of damage. Corrosion of steel pipe materials under soil conditions is dependent on the degree of difference in the electrical potentials, and could be evaluated by applying the electro-chemical method. In this study, the damaged steel pipeline system that had been used for only 10 years was examined, based on corrosion characteristics monitoring using electric potential between pipeline and soil conditions. Thus, the experimental results show that degree of damage in service steel pipeline system could be estimated using electric potential index. As for the relationship electric potential, corrosion velocity and water leak accidents in pipeline were evaluated.

View full abstract

Systematic soil surveys were carried out at 69 sites in Shikoku forest land to evaluate organic carbon stocks in 3 pools, dead wood, litter, and mineral soil (in the upper 30cm depth). The amount of the average carbon stocks in 3 pools were 0.25, 0.57, 6.56kg m^-2 respectively, and the total stock of 3 pools was almost equal to the aboveground carbon stock of average 40-years coniferous plantation stand. The weak tendency could be detected that the higher on altitude, the larger carbon stock. And the amount of the soil carbon stock under coniferous plantations was larger than that under the hardwood forests. However it might not necessarily depend on the effect of vegetation but on the site conditions.

View full abstract