On September 23 and 24, the ILS hosted an academic exchange between our researchers from the “Spatial Planning and Urban Design” research group and “Mobilities and Space” and a group of researchers from Fukuyama City University. The guests from Japan presented their current research and learned about the work of the ILS.

The first day of the visit began with presentations by Assoc. Prof. Dr Makoto Yokoyama on the topic “Urban Climate Simulations and Planning Support Tools for Urban Heat Mitigation in Japan” and by Assoc. Prof. Dr Kento Takano on “Land Use Management of the Urbanisation Control Area through Community-Based Allotment Gardens”. From the ILS, Chiara Iodice-Kraft and Lizzy Moonga provided information on the IMECOGIP and GreenME projects. Eyaiu Hassen presented the accompanying project on “Agricultural Systems of the Future”, and Prof. Dr Thomas Weith gave a talk on empirical research into spatial justice. This was followed by a lively discussion on the importance of green infrastructure as a key research topic for the future.

On the second day, Prof. Dr. Yukifumi Makita gave a presentation on “Evaluating the Walking Environments for the Aged in Tomo-cho, Hiroshima :A Case Study From the Perspective of Older Residents”. Dr. Janina Welsch and Dr. Kerstin Conrad presented the WalkUrban project and a dissertation project. In the afternoon of the first day, Prof. Dr. Noriko Otsuka took them to Kokerie Hansa including a visit to Hansaponik.  On the second day, the group visited Phoenix West and Phoenix See to tour key industrial heritage sites and regeneration projects in Dortmund. The meeting was organised by Prof. Dr. Noriko Otsuka.