【Project Research】
Learning in“Sato-yama”toward the Sustainable Communities: A Case Study in Sendai Megalopolis Region.
[2000 - 2003, Project Leader: Yoshihiko HIRABUKI]

Originally “Sato-yama” or “Sato-chi” mean the traditional landscapes which had been locally created in rural areas under the harmonious interactions between natural environments and human activities. However, in the recent 50 years, life-styles of Japanese people have changed dramatically, and these landscapes have degraded or disappeared together with wisdom for the sustainable management of ecosystems.

In Miyagi Prefecture, hilly ranges occupy as large as 37 % in area and have been used as the main fields of “Sato-yama”. Therefore we can easily find various kinds of patches lying on the undulating land such as coppice forests, coniferous plantations, cultivated meadows, paddy fields, small ponds, modern residential areas and bare places.