----------------------------Original message---------------------------- [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.