Portfolio of Dr. Haruka Kato

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

Dr. Kato aims to provide critical insights into "urban science," specifically by identifying the adaptive mechanisms and planning strategies cities may employ in response to depopulation. His methodological approach emphasizes collaboration with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including government agencies, local community organizations, private enterprises, and non-profits. These interdisciplinary collaborations are instrumental in facilitating his empirical investigations and project implementation. In this work, Dr. Kato integrates principles from spatial information science and environmental behavioral science, thereby enhancing the depth and applicability of his urban studies.

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

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