How can Chuo students get engaged in regional revitalization?

 

◎他人事ではいられない多摩地域の活性化

―中大生の関わり方を探る―

It is 38 years since Chuo University moved to Hachioji, located in one corner of the Tama Hills in Tokyo’s western suburbs. This region embraces Tama New Town, a large housing complex developed in the early 1970’s. It has been losing much of its vibrancy in the past due mainly to the aging of its population. Many shops in the area keep their shutters closed. Municipalities and residents are making various efforts to revitalize their dwindling community. Hakumon Herald tries to find out how Chuo students get engaged in such initiatives and how they should keep up their own efforts as members of the community. (Editors)

 

中央大学が多摩丘陵の一角、東京・八王子市のキャンパスに移転してから38年がたつ。この地域は1970年代初めに開発された多摩ニュータウンの中に含まれている。この間、居住者の高齢化などでかつての活気を失いつつあり、商店街でもシャッターが閉じられた店も目立つようになってきた。この多摩地域活性化については様々な取り組みがなされているが、地域の構成員でもある我々中大生が今、どう関わっているのか、どう関わっていけばよいのかを探ってみた。(編集部)