----------------------------Original message----------------------------
[log in to unmask],
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Kita-Ku.Sapporo.001.Japan.Tel:81-11-717-6660.Fax:81-11-757-3610.E-mail:machida@
vtt.co.jp
X-Mailer: mnews [version 1.18PL3] 1994-08/01(Mon)
____________________________________________________________________
My name is Akihiko Machida, I am the senior researcher for the
Regional Science Institute in Sapporo, Japan. We are currently
undertaking a project funded by The National Institute for Research
Advancement. The goal of the project is to develop digital links
domestically for conducting research in the fields of local and regional
planning. For international collaboration purposes our institute is
attempting to independently create a researcher's network on a multi-regional
level, called Virtual Think Tank. The projects we are working on right now are
non-profit for academic purposes. A discription follows this letter.
We are looking for Academic Advisors and Regional Experts to work with us on
this project. If you feel you might interested please contact us and we will
send you further information about the projects we are working on currently and
the organizational stucture of the Think Tank.
Akihiko Machida
RSI
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Regional Science Institute: Planning Policy and Network Program
December 1994
Introduction to the Regional Science Institute
The Regional Science Institute (RSI) is a planning and consulting firm
located in Sapporo, Japan. Our major clients include the Ministry of
Construction, the Hokkaido and Aomori prefectural governments, the City
of Sapporo, Japan Public Highway Corporation, and various other local
governments in the northern region of Japan. We have researched,
planned, and coordinated a variety of municipal and prefectural projects,
including urban land use planning, transportation planning, local and
regional industrial revitalization, international economic exchange
programs, and computer guided simulations for urban design.
Our staff is ready and able to respond with an interdisciplinary approach
to the changing needs of our clients. Staff members come from a range
of academic and professional backgrounds, including urban and
transportation planning, civil engineering, biology, environmental
studies, and geographic information systems.
Planning Policy
The RSI is composed of a planning/consulting section (urban planning,
transportation planning, and environmental planning and assessment)
and a policy research section.
The RSI is committed to a democratic process of decision making at the
local and regional level, hence we make every effort to bring local
citizens into the planning process. This commitment poses many
challenges, not the least of which is a general failure on the part
of the governmental agencies we serve to recognize the importance of
involving citizens as a means to improve the planning environment.
This working relationship with municipal and prefectural governments
often creates conditions which are discouraging to innovative planners
and may on occasion conflict with their sense of responsiblility and
obligation in such a public-oriented occupation. However, under
any circumstances, professional planners must strive to improve
the living environment for the public. Moreover, they must present
their insights and ideas to the citizenry in a professional manner.
Accordingly, it is the duty and obligation of this firm to establish
a politically neutral domain for planners to study various social
problems and disseminate our research outcomes to the public.
Domestic Information Network System
The National Institute for Research Advancement (NIRA) has recently
embarked on a nation-wide information network project, implementation
of which has been entrusted to 11 regional think tanks throughout
Japan. As one of the institutes participating in this project, RSI
is serving in the capacity of the host station for the Hokkaido and
Tohoku regions.
This project is funded by the Economic Planning Agency, with a total
budget of approximately US $6,000,000. From this total, RSI has
been allocated a budget to provide the following: access to databases
for the purpose of exchange, links betwwen NIRA member think tanks using
digital telecommunications systems, system operation management tasks,
and design of a framework for a successful and productive collabration
among domestic researchers and planners.
Researcher Network
In addition to the NIRA project, RSI is independently preparing the
hardware and software for developing an international information
network utilizing the Internet. The objective is to create a network
research environment for regional think tanks which will promote the
generation of new ideas and innovative policy recommendations for
government and business on an international scale. This research
environment will assist planners by provididng access to various
forums for discussion, new case studies, statistical information,
and expert sources of information. It will facilitate free and open
communication by offering a mechanism for collaborative research and
the exchange of ideas and insights. Finally, Internet can provide
the highest level of instantaneous communciation combined with access
to extensive sources of data which allow the best possible research
to be conducted regardless of geographical location.
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