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POTENTIAL OF LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES:A POSSIBILITY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?59Before and afterBefore and AfterThe Role of Various Stakeholders in CreatingStrong Communities and Sustainable Tourism• Government Officials at Policy Making LevelNational and local government policy andregulations have a great influence on the successor otherwise of attempts to create strongcommunities. The most effective approach bygovernment is to support and work withcommunities, rather than to prescribe solutions.In Japan, government approval for policiessupporting historical towns and cities isgenerally accompanied by the allocation offunding for the restoration of residentialbuildings. This motivates local people toconserve old houses that can be quite difficult tomaintain.For example, in the old castle city of Takayamain Gifu Prefecture, the area surroundingTakayama Castle has become a historicaltourism site. In recent years, the localadministration has created policies to protect thetown’s old charm and to attract tourists, whilealso enhancing the quality of life of local people.This is captured in the slogan “The city which iscomfortable to live in is also comfortable tovisit”.Districts such as Sanmachi and Shimoninomachi-oojinmachiwhich contain old Edoshops (called Old Private Houses) have beendesignated Important Preservation Districts.Homeowners are partially funded to renovatetheir houses following various height and otherguidelines. All shops must adhere to signageregulations. Road and footpath surfaces areleveled for ease of use by the elderly and disabled.There are numerous public benches. Publictoilets are taken care of by local residents. Thetownspeople’s enthusiasm to commit to thegreater good is an aspect of Japanese characterthat is taught to children from a very young ageand is an important factor in building a strongcommunity.The Work of the 2010/2011 API Fellows