Visit of Embassy brings Dutch integrated approach to Tohoku region

News article | June 21, 2012

Embassy staff visited Sendai, Onagawa and Rikuzentakata on 7 and 8 June to have better understanding of challenges in the region.

On June 7^th and 8^th Sachiko Stone and Merei Wagenaar visited Sendai, Onagawa and Rikuzentakata to learn about the current situation in Tohoku. Especially the visits to Onagawa and Rikuzentakata contributed to a better understanding of the challenges of the region. In both cities there was a fruitful discussion with the (vice) Mayor and members of staff responsible for the reconstruction process. All parties were positive to continue the dialogue on integrating urban planning with water management, agriculture and smart cities. On July 5 the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Architectural Institute of Japan will co-organize a special seminar on “The Dutch Approach: integrated framework as a principle for reconstruction” aiming to bring expert of different expertise together to discuss the challenges in Tohoku and the possible approaches to solve the current difficulties. Amongst the speakers there will be MLIT representatives on housing and city planning, the vice- mayor of Kamaishi and the Chief Advisor on Infrastructure to the Dutch government.
For more information: http://www.aij.or.jp/index/?se=eventlist&ac=action&button_kind=3&button_id=171 (Japanese only).