59
4.4.2 Convergence Found from the BC Scenarios and Their
Making
4.4.2.1 Merged into a Holistic, “Systemness” Perspective
It is important to note that the WS participants did not end up identifying mutually
exclusive, contrasting features in their choices of “key factors.” Described in
Sect. 4.2.2.4 above, we had expected in advance that their divergent opinions can
be better reflected by two different, possibly contrasting dimensions attached to
the key factors. However, it appears that they saw mutually complementary features that together apparently constitute essential aspects of the city’s societal
functioning represented by each of the four key factors. For instance, one key factor “disaster prevention” is an essential aspect of the sound functioning of a societal system where a city seeks to become more sustainable in the future. Coming
Table 4.3 Titles and elements of best scenarios (visions and pathways) in comparison
Group A
Group B
Titles
Environmentally advanced city that is
also harmonious and coexists with nature
A city that people around the world
admire
Elements
of visions
• Harmonious with nature for expansion
of clean energy
• The concept of dual residency between
central and peripheral areas of the city
is well received
• As results of compact-city-related
policies, public services and various
facilities accumulate in the central
area
• In the peripheral area, residents solve
local matters via cooperation under the
spirit of self-help, mutual help, and
public help
• To develop noble and distinctive
humanity via vigorous and thorough
life span inner education
• To vitalize industries original in
Toyama (traditional and/or
entertainment industries, creative
industries)
• To introduce to and be admired by the
world regarding citizens’ distinctive
humanity and the city’s original
quaternary industry
• To establish an academic city and
actively engage in conversational
exchanges of ones’ opinions
Elements
of paths
[from 2016 to 2030]
• To educate the citizens on disaster
prevention and environment
• To accumulate knowledges by inviting
experts and making study tours to
other cities
• To designate model sections within the
city
[from 2030 to 2064]
• To propose and accelerate the concept
of dual residency between the central
and peripheral areas
• To develop clean energy that utilizes
the resources of the Toyama
prefectures
[from 2016 to 2030]
• To secure fiscal revenues
• To enhance inner education among
citizens (moral education, performing
arts, and discourses on religion and
history)
• To engage in public relations
internationally
[from 2030 to 2064]
• To develop the city’s own (original)
industries via handing down of
traditional arts and crafts and via
innovating creative industries
• To develop the city’s infrastructures
regarding scenery (landscape) and
public transportation
4 The Use of Backcasting to Promote Urban Transformation to Sustainability…
4.4.2 Convergence Found from the BC Scenarios and Their
Making
4.4.2.1 Merged into a Holistic, “Systemness” Perspective
It is important to note that the WS participants did not end up identifying mutually
exclusive, contrasting features in their choices of “key factors.” Described in
Sect. 4.2.2.4 above, we had expected in advance that their divergent opinions can
be better reflected by two different, possibly contrasting dimensions attached to
the key factors. However, it appears that they saw mutually complementary features that together apparently constitute essential aspects of the city’s societal
functioning represented by each of the four key factors. For instance, one key factor “disaster prevention” is an essential aspect of the sound functioning of a societal system where a city seeks to become more sustainable in the future. Coming
Table 4.3 Titles and elements of best scenarios (visions and pathways) in comparison
Group A
Group B
Titles
Environmentally advanced city that is
also harmonious and coexists with nature
A city that people around the world
admire
Elements
of visions
• Harmonious with nature for expansion
of clean energy
• The concept of dual residency between
central and peripheral areas of the city
is well received
• As results of compact-city-related
policies, public services and various
facilities accumulate in the central
area
• In the peripheral area, residents solve
local matters via cooperation under the
spirit of self-help, mutual help, and
public help
• To develop noble and distinctive
humanity via vigorous and thorough
life span inner education
• To vitalize industries original in
Toyama (traditional and/or
entertainment industries, creative
industries)
• To introduce to and be admired by the
world regarding citizens’ distinctive
humanity and the city’s original
quaternary industry
• To establish an academic city and
actively engage in conversational
exchanges of ones’ opinions
Elements
of paths
[from 2016 to 2030]
• To educate the citizens on disaster
prevention and environment
• To accumulate knowledges by inviting
experts and making study tours to
other cities
• To designate model sections within the
city
[from 2030 to 2064]
• To propose and accelerate the concept
of dual residency between the central
and peripheral areas
• To develop clean energy that utilizes
the resources of the Toyama
prefectures
[from 2016 to 2030]
• To secure fiscal revenues
• To enhance inner education among
citizens (moral education, performing
arts, and discourses on religion and
history)
• To engage in public relations
internationally
[from 2030 to 2064]
• To develop the city’s own (original)
industries via handing down of
traditional arts and crafts and via
innovating creative industries
• To develop the city’s infrastructures
regarding scenery (landscape) and
public transportation
4 The Use of Backcasting to Promote Urban Transformation to Sustainability…