法政大学国際交流基金（HIF）による外国人招聘研究員メッセージ
Diego Cosa Fernandez
Regional development advisor
Researcher in urban design and sustainability
As an HIF scholar guided by Prof. Jinnai Hidenobu (Dep. of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering and Design) I carried out territorial comparative studies on Japanese castle-towns set on inland plains. More specifically, I identified terrains with similar morphological characteristics: Ozu City (Ehime Pref.), Tamba-Sasayama City (Hyogo Pref.), Hitoyoshi City (Kumamoto Pref.) and investigated the influence natural elements -in particular water streams- had in the creation and transformation of urban districts, production systems or local lifestyles. The funding assigned by HIF allowed me to conduct in-site research on the selected areas.
Since 2019, I have been collaborating with “一般社団法人キタ・マネジメント,” Ozu City’s local DMO, currently involved in a thorough urban regeneration project. I joined efforts to reinvent the use of vanishing abodes and bring in new blood into the community. Concomitantly with pursuing my research on regional studies, I am providing advice on urban and community revitalization (public lectures or local workshops), as well as establishing relevant blueprints on machitsukuri and sustainability.
