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|  The
Future of Tsukuba Science City
Systems and Policies for City Planning
- Stronger Cooperation among the Government, Prefecture, City, Town, and
the Housing and Urban Development Corporation
Tsukuba Science City
has been developed in cooperation with five parties; the Japanese Government,
Ibaraki Prefecture, Tsukuba City (the towns of Tsukuba, Oho, Toyosato, Yatabe,
and Sakura Village), Kukizaki-cho, and the Housing and Urban Development Corporation.
It is essential that each of them cooperates more closely based on each unique
characteristic. So far, the development of Tsukuba has been focused on a transfer
of national research institutes and a development of public and community facilities.
It will be taking a new developmental step focused on an environment-friendly
model city including the cities of Tsuchiura and Ushiku. Being on the new developmental
step, it is important that Tsukuba needs to review the role of five parties.
- Increasing Roles of Local Government Bodies
Tsukuba Science
City will have a population explosion after completing the New Joban Train Line
in 2005. An aging population is also sure to increase. Living conditions will
have to be improved, resulting from the important roles of local government bodies
such as Tsukuba City and Kukizaki-cho. The local government bodies must listen
to their residents and improve living conditions. It is also important the bodies
encourage the residents to participate in the municipal administration. For the
decentralization of power, Tsukuba City and Kukizaki-cho must play key roles which
allow planning to coexist with nature and the surrounding rural environment. It
should also promote exchanges between cities and agricultural villages. It is
important that Ibaraki Prefecture, as a full-functioning autonomy, makes comprehensive
planning and adjustment for the large-scale urban area development. The prefecture
needs to prepare transportation systems such as the New Joban Train Line and "Ken-o
Do" (Metropolitan Inner City Expressway) and promote the development of the Research
and Education district along the Train Line. The prefecture also needs to construct
a core base suitable for the large-scale metropolitan area and fulfill its comprehensive
urban functions. For the self-sufficient growth of Tsukuba Science City, it is
quite important to concentrate science and technology and to promote the development
of industry. Ibaraki Prefecture has an important role to activate the local small
and medium-sized enterprises, agriculture and others based on the Tsukuba's achievements
in science and technology.
- Participation in City Development by
Residents and Research Institutions
It is hoped that employees of
research institutes, students, Japanese and foreign residents, and future residents
will participate in the city development and various local activities. Many Tsukuba
researchers have had lots of experiences of living in overseas cities, and their
experiences are expected to have a positive influence on city planning. It is
also hoped that the national research and educational institutes and the private
companies will contribute to the city planning through their participation in
the activities of Tsukuba Science City Liaison Council for Promotion of Research
Exchange. The development of Tsukuba Science City shuld progress based on the
understanding and cooperation of Tsukuba residents, so information should be dispersed
to the residents and visitors through the Tsukuba Information Center and others,
in a timely manner.
- Stronger Governmental Functions of Planning
and Adjustment
Under the Basic Plan for Science and Technology, Tsukuba
Science City is outlined as the core city to promote science and technology. Because
of this, the Japanese Government should fulfill its responsibility for the development
of Tsukuba. It is especially indispensable that the government guides the related-interdepartmental
coordination in order to accelerate research exchanges and joint research among
research and educational institutes. A related-interdepartmental backup for foreign
researchers' life in Japan should also be constructed.
Tsukuba Science City,
a model region for city development, has a role to use its experience to benefit
other cities in Japan, and the government should support this role.
The head
office of promotion of Science City Construction in the National Land Agency should
take a leading role in strengthening its planning and adjustment functions and
in setting up the interdepartmental coordination for city development for the
future.
- Roles of the Housing and Urban Development Corporation
Tsukuba Science City will take steps to develop the surrounding suburban district
along the New Joban Trian Line on a large-and-wide scale. It will also complete
the development of the research and education district, redevelop the central
district, and locate next-generation industries accumulated with science and technology.
It will tackle the environmental problems as well. The Housing and Urban Development
Corporation will play a major role in developing Tsukuba Science City. The Corporation
is expected to promote the development of the 21st century pilot model city based
on its know-how of comprehensive city planning.
- Roles of Private
Sectors cooperating with public institutes
The Japanese government,
local authorities, Housing and Urban Development Corporation and private sectors
should indispensably participate in the development of Tsukuba Science City. With
the developmental step of Tsukuba Science City maturing, private sectors will
be indispensable for preparing commercial and business facilities, an information
and communication infrastructure, hotels, and distribution facilities.
- Construction of a Supporting System for Comprehensive City Development
Japan is now trying to cut its way as "Technological Superpower" for the 21st
century, and it is essential for both Japan and the parties concerned in Tsukuba
Science City to effectively use what Tsukuba has achieved. It will benefit both
the research institutes and citizens to utilize the research achievements for
city development and citizens' life, because the research achievements would be
put to practical use and be publicized, and a comfortable citizen's life would
be realized. Tsukuba' role as a pilot model city contributes to a city development
nationwide. Tsukuba aims at becoming an environment-friendly urban city surrounded
by rich nature. It is important for Tsukuba to continue to be a leading model
city, one which continues to challenge.
The leading city development of Tsukuba
Science City is beyond the authority of the local administration. It is necessary
to establish a support system for comprehensive city development which is based
on partnership with not only Ibaraki-prefecture, Tsukuba-city, and Kukizaki-cho
but also the Japanese Government, the Housing and Urban Development Corporation,
and local citizens.
Using the support system, problems should be tackled under
the partnership, cooperation, and close connection among the parties concerned.
The system is for coping with problems which are too difficult for each administrative
body and research institute to solve by itself. Under the support system based
on a systematical connection among the parties concerned, local industries should
be revitalized, a living of foreign researchers should be supported, and international
conventions should be planned and promoted. The standing exhibition facilities
should be publicized to expand people's understanding of science, and the daily
communication between local farmers and city residents should be promoted. It
is hoped that the government bodies, Ibaraki prefecture, Tsukuba-city, Kukizaki-cho,
and other parties concerned will begin the construction of the system as early
as possible. | |
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