The key purpose of the Foundation for Riverfront
Improvement and Restoration is to promote
research and development in regard to riverfront
improvement, use, and conservation, based
upon comprehensive understanding of rivers,
lakes, seacoasts, and their surrounding land
areas. The Foundation was established with
funds contributed by local public bodies
and private sector entities in September
1987 with the approval of the Ministry of
Construction.
Our work was initially centered on the task
of developing rivers as safe and scenic spaces
that are integrated well with the urban areas
along the rivers. To implement this work,
we pushed forward with such projects as "Super-Levee
(High-Standard Levee)Plan", "River
Improvement Friendly to Neighbors" and
"Model Project of Cherry Tree Bank".
A new emphasis has come to environmental
problems and the corresponding social needs
in which people's concern has been growing.
We are placing greater weight today on issues
and tasks that are focused on the conservation
and restoration of ecological systems of
rivers, through projects such as "National
Census on River Environments","Nature-Oriented
River Works"and "Restoring to Natural
Rivers".
At the same time, in regard to the uses of
rivers, there is much interest in rivival
of river navigation which was very popular
in the Edo Era (1603-1867). River navigation
system could fulfill present-day values such
as comfort and energy-saving leading to CO2
release reduction, compared with the truck
or bus transportation. Much research toward
realizing the navigation in river is presently
being conducted.
Crowded land use on Japan's plains means
that rivers and coastal seashores constitute
precious public spaces. We must do our utmost
to guarantee that they remain valuable resources
for both human beings and natural ecological
systems that are worthy of passing on to
future generations. Toward this goal, we
are determined to diligently push forward
with our research work, and we sincerely
ask you all for your support.
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