R&D ProjectsRevitalizing Streetscapes by Utilization of Vacant Houses and Neighborhood Medical Care

General Description of the Research Project

The increased number of vacant houses is becoming a serious problem across Japan. In particular, in the Important Preservation Districts for Historic Buildings, the number of vacant houses is increasing due to restrictions on renovation, leading to difficulty in maintaining the streetscape. On the other hand, it is important for the health of the elderly to keep going out into the town to communicate with others, which also allows dependence on advanced medical services to be reduced.

This project will realize the concept of “Active People, Active Community” through revitalizing social capital in a deteriorated historic town by multigenerational groups. Specifically, in Imai-cho, Kashihara-shi, Nara Prefecture, from which the system of Preservation Districts for Historic Buildings originated, a local medical college will provide “Neighborhood Medical Care,” including outpatient services of Chinese medicine, rehabilitation training, health gymnastics, prenatal care and dietary advice, using vacant houses as a base. We will carry out these activities together with multigenerational people including medical experts and students as well as with various entities including local organizations, to accumulate empirical knowledge in community development so that it can be applied in other areas.