2026.1.31　Co-hosted the Symposium on the Nature and Utilization of the Edogawa and Fureai Matsudo Rivers

On February 2, 2025, the symposium titled “Symposium on Nature and Utilization of the Edogawa River and Fureai Matsudo River” was held at Kitemite Matsudo in Matsudo City. The event was organized by Matsudo City and co-hosted by this research program.

At the symposium, Professor Emeritus Tatsuaki Kobayashi of Chiba University, a collaborating researcher of this program, delivered the keynote lecture. In addition, Akita, the research program leader, served as the coordinator for the panel discussion. A poster session was also held, presenting the outcomes of a graduate-level studio course conducted in collaboration with this research program.

In the keynote lecture, Professor Kobayashi introduced theories and methodologies of ecological restoration, as well as practical examples of nature restoration initiatives. A representative from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) also presented recent developments in riverfront development initiatives (Kawamachi-zukuri).

During the poster session, first-year master’s students from Chiba University presented proposals on future visions for the Edogawa riverbed area and the surrounding Fureai Matsudo River. These presentations were the outcomes of the graduate studio course “Landscape Project Studio B (FY2025)” conducted in collaboration with this research program and attracted strong interest from participants.

In the panel discussion, coordinated by Akita, Professor Kobayashi, representatives from MLIT, and officials from Matsudo City participated in an active discussion together with citizens and university students on ways to utilize the Edogawa River and Fureai Matsudo River while respecting and enhancing their natural environments.