Research on Eco-Towns in Japan - UNEP

4. Case study2: Kitakyushu Eco-Town
administration and assembly officials have also visited the center.
3. Collaboration among basic research, practical research and commercialization
Kitakyushu Eco-Town has embarked on three strategies to promote environmental
industries: (ⅰ)basic research and human resource development, (ⅱ)experimental studies
and (ⅲ)commercialization. Each of the three operates in isolation at present. The area
called the city of academic and research, contains many research institutions such as
Kitakyushu University, Advanced <strong>Research</strong> Institute for Science and Engineering of Waseda
University and Cranfield University (UK), and is responsible for basic research and human
resource development. These institutions promote research on the environment and
information. An experimental study area (6.5 ha) is used to implement results produced by
research, to commercialize them. The institutions related to 3R and waste treatment are
accumulated in the area, and they have implemented experimental studies particularly on
technologies related to final disposal sites, recycling and detoxification of toxic substances.
Although the three areas operate in isolation at present, collaboration on the feasibility of
basic research results and human resource activities, and verification by practical research
and commercialized within the Eco-Town, is expected to be materialized in the future.
4-6 Municipal Support
Koichi Sueyoshi, the Mayor of Kitakyushu City, summarized the city’s role in the Eco-Town
Projects with the following four points:
1. To develop hard infrastructure, including sewage, road construction and securing the
sites for lease;
2. To support the software side of the projects, such as subsidies and PR activities;
3. Coordination and support, including appealing for waste segregation to other cities and
towns, holding meetings, providing waste as material for research activities, briefings for
the citizens;
4. “One-Stop Service” to achieve speedier procedures.
4-7 Environmental Activities
There are only a few citizens’ environmental actions directly related to the plan since
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