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Ecopolis Center
The front of Ecopolis Center. Oddly shaped recycle bins are out on the street to catch the attention of passersby. 00.01.13/ Temperature: 4C/ Weather: Rain / Wind Direction: SW
Current Location: Itabashi Ward, Tokyo, 35 46 09 N 139 41 20 E
Distance Traveled: 0 km (Rest day)In Tokyo's city of approximately 12 million, it is difficult for people to know where to begin to create a wise and environmentally safe city lifestyle. In Itabashi, Tokyo, the ward has taken on the task of creating an environmental and social vision for the future in its fairly new Ecopolis Center, which was built to be a base for environmental education.
Opened in April of 1995, Ecopolis Center was the first environmental learning facility in all of Japan. Aiming to educate people about human impact on the environment as well as environmentally friendly lifestyle alternatives, Ecopolis Center is full of both fun and serious media to do so. There is a well stocked environmental library, an exhibition corner, a recycling salon and workshop, an audio-visual hall, exhibition corners, and even an environmental laboratory. Ecopolis Center staff are responsible for facilitating various workshops and educational programs, data is kept on the local environment, guidance is provided concerning environmental issues, the center sets an example by utilizing the newest environmentally friendly technology and links are being created between bureaucracy, citizens, and companies.
Standing outside of the center one immediately notices several characteristics of the building. A second wall surrounds much of the building which increases the energy efficiency of the building. An abundance of windows in the building allows natural sunlight to be trapped for heating and lighting. Methanol and natural gas powered cars are parked outside.
Solar panels on the roof of Ecopolis Center. Exploring the insides of the center is even more surprise filled. A visit to the toilet will let you know that the toilet water is supplied by collected rain water. Toilet paper is all recycled paper. Visit the roof and one can see two of the buildings electricity sources, solar panels as well as a solar collector to heat water. Everywhere one turns there is interesting information about environmental alternatives.
During my stay at the Ecopolis Center, I spoke with two center employees about what possibilities the center creates for our future. Ecopolis Center Manager, Mr. Sugita , first commented about the purpose of the center. "In Itabashi Ward as well as much of the world our industries have come to destroy our environment. The earth is in trouble as a result of the pressure we humans put on it. Everyone knows this, but people have been unable to make changes. Our center is here to have people think about this and equip them with the ability to make changes in their own lifestyles." Also interesting is that the center provides more than food for thought to ward citizens. One of their major objectives is to have locals take action for their environment and lifestyles. This is accomplished by cooperation with NGO's, NPO's, preservation groups, and other special interest groups and through leadership courses.
Mr. Kawamura, Facilitator of environmental education at the center, had an insightful comment to add about what role the center can play in the community. "Nature in Itabashi isn't all that good. It does however have a lot of green for Tokyo. The ward's biggest environmental resource may be its people. As you have seen over the past few days, the people that live here have strong ties to their community, whether they are locals or moved here. Coordinating this important environmental resource is Ecopolis Center's job."
For several days now I have been thinking about what wisdom cities have to offer our journey. I think Ecopolis center may give us a few hints. The center does not only preach a change in lifestyle but sets an example by using new technologies as well as reaching out to teach others about them. Additionally, Mr. Kawamura's comment about people being the ward's biggest environmental resource is very interesting. Cities are facing very difficult environmental problems. They are also the largest centers of human resources. Coordinating to create links between us and putting people to work for the environment may be a hint for the future.
What do you all think? Do you know of any other city centers working to create wisdom for our future? What other wisdom might the city be hiding?
Greg
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