On November 24, 2013 (Sun), we conducted a survey and experience tour of "Chofu Town Development" in the neighborhood of Chofu Castle Town, led by faculty members in charge of the Regional Research and Research Division of the Regional Co-creation Center, with a total of six students from TUFS and three faculty members.

Purpose of Activities

　In this activity, students who are interested in community development activities such as Shimonoseki City actually walk, see, and think about the way of community development activities in Chofu, which Professor Tsuchiya has been involved in for a long time. The purpose is to learn from interviews on the activities of community development groups and provide opportunities to think on the site of community development. In the future, as the next step, we aim to link students to continuous participation in actual diverse community development activities in Shimonoseki City.

Schedule and specific details of the day

　Schedule: 13:30 University bus departure → 14:00 Arrived in Chofu, 14:00-15:00 Survey on the streets (history, culture, industry, etc.), 15:00-16:00 Interview with "Chofu Moriage Corps Dynamo" (local community development organization), 16:00-18:30 Inspection and investigation of the city survey and "Colorful Castle Town Chofu / Autumn" (light-up), arrival and dissolution of the university at 19:00.
　Specifically, we conducted a survey of the city and a hearing survey of the community development organization, "Dynamo-Chofu Moriage Corps-". In the survey of the city, based on the commentary of Professor Kimura and Professor Tsuchiya, the central shopping district such as Koyamadera and Chofu Museum, Imiya Shrine, Nogi Shrine, Kakuenji Temple, Chofu Clan Samurai Yashiki Nagaya, Nogi-san-dori and Hitokoi Yokomachi I surveyed and strolled around the neighborhood. At night, we toured along the Dangu River and toured the Chofu Garden in an inspection of "Color Castle Town Chofu / Autumn" (light-up), which was being carried out as a community improvement project.

Feelings

　The participating students this time were two third graders and one fourth grader, but I did not have the experience of taking a firm stroll around the city even if I came for the first time to the city of Chofu. This survey and experience tour was a good opportunity to learn about the community development of Chofu and it was a great study.
　On the other hand, the "space" of Chofu, which encompasses the pluralistic elements of society such as economy, culture, history, tourism, and community development, is a valuable learning place and site for students at Shimonoseki City University. However, it is not used very effectively for university education and community development contributions, and it is "wasteful" for a university in Shimonoseki City. In university education, it is expected that future issues will be to further increase the opportunities for students to learn from community development initiatives in Chofu, Shimonoseki City and nearby municipalities.

At Koyamadera Temple

At Dangu-gawa River

　In addition, the mailing list "Shimonoseki City Univ. Community Development Network (Community Development Net) "was launched at the Regional Co-creation Center for Community Development. Information on this activity was also distributed as the first step of the community development net.

Professor Faculty of Economics MIZUTANI Riaki

[Published date: November 27, 2013]

Contact information
Shimonoseki City University
Regional Co-creation Center
TEL. 083-254-8613 / FAX. 083-253-1622