The phenomenon of ‘vanishing cities’ and how this can be tackled through urban development

In Japan, so‐called ‘vanishing cities’ are at risk of extinction. This phenomenon, linked to ageing societies, depopulation and infrastructure, presents an opportunity to reconsider urban development. At Hiroshima Institute of Technology’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Associate Professor Akemi Imagawa is doing just this. She is exploring the possibility of compact area management through the development of regional bases to create sustainable, efficient communities with improved livability as an inclusive solution that prioritises environmental resilience and sustainability. Imagawa’s research focus is environmental civil engineering, with a spotlight on sustainable development and community planning and she is also a regional planning advisor for the local government. She takes a holistic approach in her interconnected projects, each sharing the goals of innovation and sustainability. Imagawa is interested in the use of next-generation transportation in the ‘last mile’ and the potential to deliver innovative transportation solutions to assist the elderly. The focus for this work is on Asahara District in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, which is a mountainous ‘vanishing city’ with a super ageing population. Imagawa and her team analysed the population’s life styles and transportation needs and classified their behavioural patterns and requirements in order to ascertain the best way to serve them with facilities and transportation. The goal is to meet these needs through urban development, which first necessitates the creation of sustainable regional development plans.