On Friday, October 10th, faculty members from our university's Landscape Research Center held a presentation on academic research into the impact of mega solar panel projects on the local cultural landscape on Uku Island in the Goto Islands (Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture) for local residents, government officials, and related companies.
The purpose of this briefing session was to examine from multiple angles the impact of one of Japan's largest mega solar panel projects planned for the island on the local cultural landscape, taking into account the potential for promoting renewable energy.
The center began conducting a joint survey with Ukujima Mirai Energy LLC in November 2024 to evaluate the location and quality of the island's remaining "cultural landscape," such as wells, waterways, stone walls, and houses, which convey the local lifestyle and culture.
The investigation was carried out by the following three specialist teams:
[Investigation team details]
■ Summary
Professor Sanpei Yamashita, Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering Department of Civil and Urban Design Engineering (Director of Landscape Research Center)
■Architecture Team: Traditional architecture and village spaces
Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering Department of Housing and Interior Professor Hidechika Fukuyama
Professor Yoko Omori, Department of Architecture and Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kurume Institute of Technology
■Water Systems Group: Agricultural irrigation systems consisting of reservoirs, small rivers, etc.
Professor Sanpei Yamashita, Department of Urban Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering Department of Civil and Urban Design Engineering
Associate Professor Hiroki Iyooka, Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering Department of Civil and Urban Design Engineering
■ Pasture Group: The actual use and history of grasslands and pastures
Professor Yasuzo Uchida, Department of Urban Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering Department of Civil and Urban Design Engineering
Professor Toru Kurita, Department Department of Living Environment Design Faculty of Art and Design
At the presentation, the architecture group presented their architectural background, the water system group their water circulation mechanism, and the Makino group their ecological services, presenting academically organized findings and future considerations regarding the characteristics and evaluation results of the island's cultural landscape.
Professor Yamashita summed up the event by saying, "Cultural landscapes are living landscapes formed through the interaction between people and nature, and an approach based on continuous observation and dialogue is important."
One of the local residents who participated said, "This was a good opportunity to rediscover the charm of the island from an objective perspective. We will continue to use the information reported today as material for further consideration."
[Department of Civil and Urban Design Engineering / Faculty of Art and Design / Landscape Research Center]
