Japan trip to launch new town

A trip to the 'Land of the Rising Sun' usually means sightseeing and the like, but for the Heritage Foundation's Director General it meant a lot more - he helped launch the birth and concepts of a whole new town!!

Consequently, new international links were forged last week when Stuart Kenny gave a keynote speech at the Saito International Forum in Osaka, Japan.

The Forum, which attracted 375 delegates, was set up to explore the potential for the Garden City concept to be used as a 'model' in the metropolitan regions in Asian countries with rapid urbanisation.

The Forum coincided with the launch of the International Culture Park - a Garden City based development at Saito on the outskirts of Osaka - being developed by the Hankyu Corporation, who have substantial interests in property investment and development, railways, hotels and department stores.

Stuart Kenny commented: "Clearly, the Garden City concept, in its entirety, cannot be easily implemented in certain locations, such as Japan, with land shortages and, hence, high land values. However, I was immensely encouraged by the steps being taken in the Saito development to incorporate many Garden City features and, in particular, involve the community in a meaningful way."

"The President of Hankyu Saito Company Ltd, Mr Nakamura, was hugely impressed when he visited Letchworth Garden City last year and it was good to see this being translated into action 'on the ground' in Osaka."

"Most importantly, a Declaration was signed at the International Forum indicating that Saito should become a 'model' for the next generation of Japanese new towns and indeed, developments elsewhere in Asia." The picture shows Stuart Kenny (left) halfway up a hillside above Osaka, symbolically harvesting rice by hand, on the site of the Saito International Culture Park.