Portfolio of Dr. Haruka Kato

Dr. Haruka Kato is a young researcher in the field of urban planning, specializing in urban science as it relates to population decline. His work focuses on the intersection of "lifestyles" and the challenges posed by demographic shifts. With Japan's population projected to decrease significantly in the next forty years, Dr. Kato's research is particularly relevant. He has closely studied the Osaka metropolitan area, a global forefront in metropolitan-scale population decline.

Dr. Kato's research endeavors are oriented towards furnishing pivotal insights in the realm of urban science, with a specific focus on elucidating the adaptive mechanisms and planning strategies cities may employ in response to declining populations. His methodological framework is predicated on a collaborative paradigm, encompassing a broad spectrum of stakeholders such as governmental agencies, local community organizations, commercial enterprises, and non-governmental entities. These interdisciplinary collaborations are instrumental in facilitating his empirical investigations into urban phenomena and in the conceptualization and execution of projects. In this process, Dr. Kato deftly integrates the principles of spatial information science and environmental behavioral science, thereby enriching the depth and applicability of his urban studies.

His research delves into two primary themes: "prosperous decline" and "inconvenient revitalization." He posits that these concepts are crucial urban challenges that require academic attention from a medium- to long-term perspective. "Prosperous decline" examines how Japanese cities, facing inevitable population decrease due to low birth rates and aging populations, can find new forms of prosperity amidst shrinkage. In contrast, "inconvenient revitalization" addresses the challenges and potential pitfalls in revitalizing shrinking cities, where revitalization efforts sometimes lead to unintended excesses and complications. Dr. Kato advocates for a balanced understanding of how "inconvenient revitalization" can inform and shape strategies for achieving a "prosperous decline."

By focusing on these areas, Dr. Kato aims to contribute significantly to the field of urban science and the broader discourse on urban planning in the context of demographic changes.

Degree

Doctor (Engineering), Kyoto University in 2020

Research Areas

Urban Planning, Urban Data Science, and Community Development

Affiliation

Junior Associate Professor, Department of Living Environment Design, Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology, Osaka Metropolitan University, Japan

Web Page

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0831-1543

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Haruka-Kato-4

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.co.jp/citations?user=G7fa4aAAAAAJ&hl=ja&oi=sra

Scopus ID: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57216632570

Web of Science ResearcherID: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/ABA-5318-2021