On 11 April 2026, UNU-IAS OUIK, in collaboration with NPO Tsuzuru, hosted the Hatake Talk 2 titled “Reborn Landscapes – Art, Tradition and Community Gardens for Post-Disaster Regeneration”. 20 participants, including students, researchers, community members, and practitioners, actively joined for the dialogue and exchange.
Opening Session
The event opened with Dr. Juan Pastor-Ivars (UNU-IAS OUIK), who introduced the survey on gardens in the Kikugawa area. Also, explained that in order to foster a green community and plan green infrastructure, discussions on the future of the Kikugawa district are being advanced based on three steps: (1) reporting on the current state of gardens, (2) taking action, and (3) holding discussions.
Presentations
Ms. Yumi Matsumoto (NPO Tsuzuru) delivered that Tsuzuru is an initiative that repurposes abandoned houses in Kikugawa, Kanazawa City into shared facilities such as a community gathering space, a coworking space, and a shared kitchen. This effort aims to reduce the number of abandoned houses and foster local community formation, which has been declining in recent years. Ms. Matsumoto explained that “Ikuyama House,” the venue for this event, is also an example of an abandoned house renovation project undertaken by Tsuzuru.
Next, Ms. Junko Kirimoto presented “Rescue and Reborn: Reviving Wajima Lacquerware After the Noto Earthquake”. It was reported that the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake caused significant damage to the production base of Wajima lacquerware and to the livelihoods of artisans, placing the continuation of this traditional industry in a difficult situation. Under these circumstances, she introduced that “Wajima Kirimoto” is advancing initiatives to revitalize Wajima lacquerware through efforts such as repairing and reusing lacquerware damaged and rendered unusable by the disaster. She emphasized that these activities go beyond mere reconstruction, representing efforts to create new value in traditional industries and promote sustainable craftsmanship, while also playing an important role in the transmission of local culture and traditional skills to future generations.
Lastly, Ms. Yukimi Yamagami who is engaged in activities to create community gardens and wells in Wajima City, gave a presentation titled “From Ruins to Garden: Growing Community After the Noto Earthquake”. This activity is being carried out with the cooperation of the Fukui Prefecture–based disaster relief organization, “Sonaeru Fukui”. She reported that, in post‑earthquake Wajima City, sites where buildings collapsed and were subsequently demolished are being transformed into places where local residents can gather and interact by creating greenery and restoring gardens and vegetable plots. She added that these initiatives bring psychological comfort to residents affected by the disaster through the creation of green spaces, promote the restoration of human connections, and represent practical efforts that contribute to strengthening community resilience
Group discussion
The second half of the event invited participants to form four groups, each addressing a guiding question. They discussed the importance of local resident participation and consensus‑building, as well as the ongoing loss of urban greenery due to urban development, which were identified as key challenges. In addition, opinions were exchanged on how to strike a balance between short‑term improvements in convenience resulting from ongoing urban development and long‑term environmental conservation. The discussion also focused on how diverse stakeholders—such as government, businesses, and citizens—can collaborate to promote sustainable initiatives.
Closing and Next Steps
The event concluded with a hands‑on farming activity at a community garden in Kikugawa. The event will continue over the coming months, during which discussions will deepen further.
