Keywords: coastal ocean space utilization, marine environment, sustainable development, Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation, Marine Corridor Project, Osaka Bay, Yura/Oishi Research Village
ABSTRACT
The swiftly changing conditions-both physical and societal-in and around Osaka-Wan provide an extraordinary opportunity for Awaji Island to take a catalytic role in determining the fate of Kansai, and thus, perhaps, even Japan. Through a cascading set of circumstances, a vision for the Year 2020 might well track the following scenario:
・ Proposal at Techno-Ocean '96 for Awaji Island to be designated by the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation to be The Blue Enertopia symbol of the organization.
・ Development of the Yura-Oishi Research Village on Awaji.
・ Establishment of a complementary complex of marine facilities around Awaji involving a natural ocean park and undersea hotel.
・ Completion of the Marine Corridor (MAR ICO) in the Year 2020, with three links or marine cities interfaced with Awajishima.
・ Through the internationalization of MARICO, ascendance of Kansai as a major world intellectual center.
1. INTRODUCTION: A PARABLE
In 1981, an international survey and computer analysis showed that the safest place on earth over the past century-a site which did not experience any natural or man-made calamity, where a peaceful lifestyle endured-was the Falkland Islands. In 1982, Argentina reclaimed the islands, hostilities broke out, and what was a haven changed overnight into a war zone. More than a decade later, it remains unclear what will next be the fate of the islands, but this injected trauma has continued to provoke antagonism between the United Kingdom and Argentina. Thus, tranquillity wrought turmoil. Accordingly, through Yin and Yang justice, can catastrophe halfway around the world inspire creative progress? The Great Hanshin Earthquake just off Awaji caused tragic devastation, and will begin to change acceptable standards for transportation construction and habitats in a country prone to natural disaster. At the time of the earthquake, the Osaka-Kobe region was quickly approaching the gridlock suffocating Kanto. With the right combination of civil needs, cultural pride, and inspired leadership, Kansai has the potential to leap into the 21st Century through the spur of a seismic shift off Awaji Island. What more ideal site, then, to engineer this recovery, than the island itself?
