Heide Imai
@smallurbanspace.bsky.social
Professor (Associate) Senshu University Tokyo 准教授 専修大学 Academic/Author/ Architect/ Art/ Japan/ Asia/ Pacific Rim Cities/ Urban/ Urban-Rural/ Culture/ Creativity/ Social Capital/ Resilience/ Sustainability/ https://heideimai.com
Reposted by Heide Imai
BREAKING: THEY’RE CALLING IT!
Seattle has a new progressive mayor, @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social!
Hopefully a turning point in a city that’s long needed one for better, bolder city-making. Congratulations and good luck Mayor-Elect Wilson, & congrats Seattle voters for choosing a new, better path.
Seattle has a new progressive mayor, @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social!
Hopefully a turning point in a city that’s long needed one for better, bolder city-making. Congratulations and good luck Mayor-Elect Wilson, & congrats Seattle voters for choosing a new, better path.
November 13, 2025 at 5:13 AM
BREAKING: THEY’RE CALLING IT!
Seattle has a new progressive mayor, @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social!
Hopefully a turning point in a city that’s long needed one for better, bolder city-making. Congratulations and good luck Mayor-Elect Wilson, & congrats Seattle voters for choosing a new, better path.
Seattle has a new progressive mayor, @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social!
Hopefully a turning point in a city that’s long needed one for better, bolder city-making. Congratulations and good luck Mayor-Elect Wilson, & congrats Seattle voters for choosing a new, better path.
The article frames Maebashi’s “art-driven revitalization” as a success story, but the focus leans heavily toward visitors and creative branding rather than clear evidence of improved daily life for local residents and businesses, making the impact claims premature. www.excite.co.jp/news/article...
【前橋】教科書に載るほどガチの”シャッター街”が「アートの街」へ！ JINSの田中仁CEOが私財投じるなど民間主導で“衰退した地元”を再生中 (2025年11月10日) - エキサイトニュース
■関連記事：【前橋】いま”まちづくりB面”が面白い！スーパー市職員が一人で47店開業支援、シャッター街に若い店主が続々衰退する街で始まった官民連携の起死回生劇前橋市は群馬県の県庁所在地であり、人口約3...
www.excite.co.jp
November 11, 2025 at 6:03 AM
The article frames Maebashi’s “art-driven revitalization” as a success story, but the focus leans heavily toward visitors and creative branding rather than clear evidence of improved daily life for local residents and businesses, making the impact claims premature. www.excite.co.jp/news/article...
Reposted by Heide Imai
Commentary: With COP30 upon us, surveys show increasing climate disengagement, especially among younger generations in Japan, despite rising awareness and education.
Want to fight climate change? Fight ‘climate fatigue’
The public is concerned but disengaged in the lead up to this week’s U.N. climate meeting.
ebx.sh
November 10, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Commentary: With COP30 upon us, surveys show increasing climate disengagement, especially among younger generations in Japan, despite rising awareness and education.
Reposted by Heide Imai
Solar panels prevented about 178 million tons of harmful air pollution from dirty fuels during the examined timeframe, preventing thousands of premature deaths www.yahoo.com/news/article...
New study reveals that solar panels are preventing premature deaths across the US: 'Their broader societal benefits are underexplored'
"These are benefits that extend well beyond electricity prices."
www.yahoo.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Solar panels prevented about 178 million tons of harmful air pollution from dirty fuels during the examined timeframe, preventing thousands of premature deaths www.yahoo.com/news/article...
" Walking the steep alleys, Bukchon did not feel lost but rather in negotiation with itself. The question here is not whether the architecture will remain. It is whether a neighborhood like Bukchon can still be called a place of everyday life." heideimai.com/urban-lives-...
Urban Lives in Transition: Field Notes from Seoul’s Living Neighborhoods
Day 1: Bukchon – A Neighborhood hypergentrified Bukchon presents itself as the careful preservation of Korean hanok architecture, framed by narrow alleys and tiled roofs stretching between Gyeongbo…
heideimai.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:51 AM
" Walking the steep alleys, Bukchon did not feel lost but rather in negotiation with itself. The question here is not whether the architecture will remain. It is whether a neighborhood like Bukchon can still be called a place of everyday life." heideimai.com/urban-lives-...
Japan’s push toward English-medium instruction is fundamentally flawed, as universities cannot assess or ensure adequate English proficiency, leading to superficial internationalization rather than genuine academic improvement. Will this attempt work better? www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
More Japanese universities pushing toward teaching in English
Many university officials in Japan believe bringing an international environment onto campus is a cheaper, safer way to produce highly skilled graduates.
www.japantimes.co.jp
November 4, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Japan’s push toward English-medium instruction is fundamentally flawed, as universities cannot assess or ensure adequate English proficiency, leading to superficial internationalization rather than genuine academic improvement. Will this attempt work better? www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11...
Walking through Hamburg and Yokohama reveals how port cities layer shiny redevelopment over persistent everyday life, where creative industries, gentrification, and long-standing communities intersect, shaping both memory and modern identity. heideimai.com/port-cities-...
Port Cities Yokohama and Hamburg
Walking through Hamburg and recalling Yokohama this late summer, I felt the strange rhythm of two cities shaped by water, trade, and memory. In the HafenCity the sunlight danced on glass towers, to…
heideimai.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Walking through Hamburg and Yokohama reveals how port cities layer shiny redevelopment over persistent everyday life, where creative industries, gentrification, and long-standing communities intersect, shaping both memory and modern identity. heideimai.com/port-cities-...
Jimbōchō’s new title as “the world’s coolest neighborhood” feels like clickbait - a media invention that romanticizes its bookish charm while ignoring deeper urban issues like gentrification etc. and the fragile balance that actually sustains its local culture. www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/10...
What does Jimbocho think of its unexpected ‘cool’ status?
The book town's residents weigh in on their home topping Time Out magazine's “coolest neighborhoods” list.
www.japantimes.co.jp
October 20, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Jimbōchō’s new title as “the world’s coolest neighborhood” feels like clickbait - a media invention that romanticizes its bookish charm while ignoring deeper urban issues like gentrification etc. and the fragile balance that actually sustains its local culture. www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/10...
Reposted by Heide Imai
Reposted by Heide Imai
Der Klimaforscher Mojib Latif wird wütend, wenn er an die vertanen Chancen der Klimapolitik denkt. Hoffnung hat er dennoch, dass sich das Schlimmste noch aufhalten lässt.
Klimapolitik: "Die Frage ist, ob es überhaupt Kipppunkte gibt"
Der Klimaforscher Mojib Latif wird wütend, wenn er an die vertanen Chancen der Klimapolitik denkt. Hoffnung hat er dennoch, dass sich das Schlimmste noch aufhalten lässt.
www.zeit.de
October 17, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Der Klimaforscher Mojib Latif wird wütend, wenn er an die vertanen Chancen der Klimapolitik denkt. Hoffnung hat er dennoch, dass sich das Schlimmste noch aufhalten lässt.
Reposted by Heide Imai
Bunkitsu Tokyo takes up the entirety of NeWoman Takanawa's 5th floor. It’s an impressive bookstore, with over 100,000 titles for sale. That makes it Bunkitsu’s largest outlet and its new flagship shop.
buff.ly/NvpKh9N
buff.ly/NvpKh9N
Bunkitsu Tokyo: New, Sprawling Bookstore Cafe Is a Wonderland of Relaxation - Unseen Japan
The massive new bookstore, with over 100,000 books, offers three cafes where you can choose to hang out for an hour - or even all day.
unseen-japan.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Bunkitsu Tokyo takes up the entirety of NeWoman Takanawa's 5th floor. It’s an impressive bookstore, with over 100,000 titles for sale. That makes it Bunkitsu’s largest outlet and its new flagship shop.
buff.ly/NvpKh9N
buff.ly/NvpKh9N
Reposted by Heide Imai
“What is life?” “What’s the difference between loving someone and just having a crush on them?” A book compiling questions submitted to a local library in Hokkaido has become a nationwide hit.
Book offering life tips from Hokkaido library's bulletin board becomes nationwide hit
The library's director said a question box was set up in 2023 to expose teens to diverse ways of thinking 'in today’s social media-centric world.'
ebx.sh
October 16, 2025 at 12:28 AM
“What is life?” “What’s the difference between loving someone and just having a crush on them?” A book compiling questions submitted to a local library in Hokkaido has become a nationwide hit.
A recent report warns that extreme heat is increasingly threatening urban life in Central Asia, urging cities to implement adaptive measures to safeguard public health and economic stability.https://www.euractiv.com/news/heat-threatens-urban-life-cities-must-act-warns-world-bank-report/
October 15, 2025 at 6:18 AM
A recent report warns that extreme heat is increasingly threatening urban life in Central Asia, urging cities to implement adaptive measures to safeguard public health and economic stability.https://www.euractiv.com/news/heat-threatens-urban-life-cities-must-act-warns-world-bank-report/
A Nature Communications study finds cropland expansion in Southeast Asia has far greater direct and indirect impacts on natural habitats than urban growth, with projections to 2050 warning of significant habitat loss www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Impacts of urban and cropland expansions on natural habitats in Southeast Asia - Nature Communications
The paper focuses on the impacts of urban and cropland expansions on natural habitats in Southeast Asia. The impact of cropland expansion on natural habitats was nearly 16 times greater than that of u...
www.nature.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:16 AM
A Nature Communications study finds cropland expansion in Southeast Asia has far greater direct and indirect impacts on natural habitats than urban growth, with projections to 2050 warning of significant habitat loss www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Japan's tourism boom attracted a 37 million visitors in 2024, overwhelming cities as Kyoto stretching the nations hospitality resources thin. While rural areas are also experiencing increased tourist influx, concerns are rising about the strain on local communities. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
It’s Not Just Tokyo and Kyoto: Tourists Descend on Rural Japan
Lured by the cheap yen, a record 37 million visitors came last year—straining the country’s long tradition of hospitality.
www.bloomberg.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Japan's tourism boom attracted a 37 million visitors in 2024, overwhelming cities as Kyoto stretching the nations hospitality resources thin. While rural areas are also experiencing increased tourist influx, concerns are rising about the strain on local communities. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Japan’s rural depopulation is reshaping the countryside in ways that threaten biodiversity: abandoned farmlands often favor invasive species over native wildlife, meaning that reduced presence can actually harm ecosystem, highlighting the need for active management geographical.co.uk/wildlife/dep...
Depopulation is reshaping Japan’s countryside and threatening biodiversity
Study finds Japan’s abandoned land is harming wildlife instead of helping it
geographical.co.uk
October 15, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Japan’s rural depopulation is reshaping the countryside in ways that threaten biodiversity: abandoned farmlands often favor invasive species over native wildlife, meaning that reduced presence can actually harm ecosystem, highlighting the need for active management geographical.co.uk/wildlife/dep...
Japan’s “school stays,” where urban students live with rural families, help revive dying villages by boosting local economies and fostering social connections, yet they may not fully address the deeper issues of depopulation and aging populations, www.bbc.com/travel/artic...
How sleeping in old schools is reviving rural Japan
As Japan's dwindling population increasingly migrates to cities, 450 rural schools close each year. Now, some are being transformed into unique inns.
www.bbc.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Japan’s “school stays,” where urban students live with rural families, help revive dying villages by boosting local economies and fostering social connections, yet they may not fully address the deeper issues of depopulation and aging populations, www.bbc.com/travel/artic...
South Korea, Japan, and China have agreed to collaborate on sustainable farming/ rural revitalization, aiming to address shared challenges like aging populations, labor shortages. While the initiative promotes smart farming, it may face obstacles due to tensions www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/202...
Sustainable farming, rural revitalization bind Korea, Japan, China - The Korea Times
INCHEON — Korea, Japan and China have agreed to work together to introduce and promote sustainable farming practices and revitalize rural areas fac...
www.koreatimes.co.kr
October 15, 2025 at 6:08 AM
South Korea, Japan, and China have agreed to collaborate on sustainable farming/ rural revitalization, aiming to address shared challenges like aging populations, labor shortages. While the initiative promotes smart farming, it may face obstacles due to tensions www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/202...
Rural Japan’s growing reliance on convenience stores offers essential services and social hubs but risks economic instability and over-dependence on limited outlets mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Community convenience stores becoming essential in rural Japan amid depopulation - The Mainichi
YURIHONJO, Akita -- While Japan's convenience store market may be considered oversaturated in terms of the sheer number of stores, major operator Laws
mainichi.jp
October 15, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Rural Japan’s growing reliance on convenience stores offers essential services and social hubs but risks economic instability and over-dependence on limited outlets mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Reposted by Heide Imai
At the risk of being over-simplistic, you’ll know a great city by what you can see while strolling around its centre.
Been strolling around central Madrid this evening, two observations:
1. The outdoor-cafe game here is so on point. They are everywhere! Tucked in every nook & cranny. Everyone is outside, *with one another*.
2. People live here, there are schools here, & so there are families with kids everywhere.
1. The outdoor-cafe game here is so on point. They are everywhere! Tucked in every nook & cranny. Everyone is outside, *with one another*.
2. People live here, there are schools here, & so there are families with kids everywhere.
October 12, 2025 at 5:39 AM
At the risk of being over-simplistic, you’ll know a great city by what you can see while strolling around its centre.
Reposted by Heide Imai
‘I wanted to write more than I wanted to have children’: author Sarah Perry on rejecting motherhood
‘I wanted to write more than I wanted to have children’: author Sarah Perry on rejecting motherhood
When the novelist was faced with the decision of whether to pursue fertility treatment or focus on her career, her literary ambitions kicked in
www.theguardian.com
October 12, 2025 at 11:24 AM
‘I wanted to write more than I wanted to have children’: author Sarah Perry on rejecting motherhood
Reposted by Heide Imai
NEW: “Some still insist ‘downtowns will never attract kids and shouldn’t try.’ Then they design downtown to virtually repel kids, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Vancouver proves the opposite can be true...”
I’m quoted in this article by @johnlorinc.bsky.social for @calcities.bsky.social
I’m quoted in this article by @johnlorinc.bsky.social for @calcities.bsky.social
People want to have kids and live downtown. Can they? - Western City Magazine
For decades, planners focused on attracting young singles to dense urban cores. That dynamic has shifted, in part because ...
www.westerncity.com
October 3, 2025 at 2:06 AM
NEW: “Some still insist ‘downtowns will never attract kids and shouldn’t try.’ Then they design downtown to virtually repel kids, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Vancouver proves the opposite can be true...”
I’m quoted in this article by @johnlorinc.bsky.social for @calcities.bsky.social
I’m quoted in this article by @johnlorinc.bsky.social for @calcities.bsky.social
Reposted by Heide Imai
More than 100,000 people were sent to hospitals due to heatstroke in Japan between May 1 and Sunday, according to preliminary data from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. 👉 ebx.sh/H6jUOw
October 3, 2025 at 3:32 AM
More than 100,000 people were sent to hospitals due to heatstroke in Japan between May 1 and Sunday, according to preliminary data from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. 👉 ebx.sh/H6jUOw
Reposted by Heide Imai
Sometime between 2038 and 2042, there'll be a new way to get to Haneda Airport from Shibuya by rail. The transport Ministry has formally approved plans to connect JR Kamata and Keikyu Kamata Stations. www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/202...
２つの蒲田駅つなぐ「蒲蒲線」計画、国交省が認定…２０３８～４２年の開業目指す
【読売新聞】 国土交通省は３日、ＪＲ・東急線の蒲田駅と京急線の京急蒲田駅を結ぶ「新空港線」（蒲蒲線）について、具体的な事業計画を盛り込んだ「速達性向上計画」を認定した。営業主体となる東急電鉄などは２０３８～４２年の開業を目指している
www.yomiuri.co.jp
October 3, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Sometime between 2038 and 2042, there'll be a new way to get to Haneda Airport from Shibuya by rail. The transport Ministry has formally approved plans to connect JR Kamata and Keikyu Kamata Stations. www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/202...
The article rightly stresses Japan’s urgent need for globalization and immigration to counter its aging population, but it oversimplifies complex social, political, and cultural barriers, offering economic solutions without addressing the deeper challenges of integration. tinyurl.com/yph2tvn4
Graying Japan needs both globalization and immigration
Japan has the highest ratio of elderly to working-age people in the world — over 50% — meaning there are only two workers for every person over 64.
tinyurl.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:45 AM
The article rightly stresses Japan’s urgent need for globalization and immigration to counter its aging population, but it oversimplifies complex social, political, and cultural barriers, offering economic solutions without addressing the deeper challenges of integration. tinyurl.com/yph2tvn4