Experience in Japan

Content of the report

This year I took part in the course that included visits to the following places: Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, Hokkaido Government, Eniwa City, Yubari City and Niseko Town (first week) and lectures of professors of different universities (second week). We visited other cities because they play a key role in the development of cities and the whole island. We talked with people who are engaged in the development of cities, where the population is decreasing. Except meeting with people, we visited residential and community spaces that function successfully and help the cities to develop. We listened to lectures of different professors of various specialties. We also had the opportunity to ask questions and it was a good addition to every lecture. After each lecture we worked in groups with students from different countries and cities. At the end of the program, we performed a common work and made a presentation of our results.

Learning outcomes

We studied new ways of designing and renovation of residential and public space. We saw, how one place can include several functions. Such places help people better interact with each other and to improve relationship between members of community Also such places fill the city with new “scripts”, and also save some city budget. We saw how interesting and functional the modular architecture could be. We learned the history of Japanese housing, how it was changed over the years and what it is today. We learned the main trends in construction and designing of modern housing. We learned how in Japan the problem of old houses is being solved, and how to use the resources that we already have at the moment. We understood the problem with population that exists now and how the city administration is trying to solve it. We realized that working with population is always a difficult process, there are always problems and conflicts with the inhabitants of the city, but it is important to hear and understand the wishes of the inhabitants and to find a compromise that will suit people and will be the best solution for the city.

During the lectures we talked about importance of showing the problems of your city and your region. We understood that many specialties are related and that interdisciplinary studying is very important. We have also improved our work skills in groups.

Experiences in Japan

We had a very good chance to visit the Moerenuma Park. It was very interesting to learn the history of the park and then see everything live. The territory is very large but very beautiful and functional. I really liked the overall design and concept that the author found. All the sculptures and the fields are in the same style. The park is filled with different functions and provides people with a choice of what they can do there. During the visit to the park, we noticed a lot of walking people, which indicates the popularity of the place.

Influence on future career goals and choices

This course was very useful. We really saw and learned something for the first time in our life, this experience will be useful in the future and may help us in designing and also in writing a master’s project. I think we can apply models of some public spaces in our city and they can play a role in the development of Khabarovsk. Also, the development of residential space and the renovation of the old housing will help us to improve the urban development situation in general and to provoke some people to stay in the city. The experience gained alive is priceless.