What is a Boundary?
So far, the focus of the analysis was on knowledge and resource circulation, and their inter-connectedness in Taiki Town. Next, it’s worth considering the boundary between each entity.
When we drive around Taiki Town, there are certain boundaries that create a sense of territory, but unlike in cities, we have come to realize that there are exchanges and interactions that go beyond these boundaries. As demonstrated by the earlier discussion on resource circulation, these exchanges occur at various scales, not static, both tangible and intangible ways.
Our stay in Taiki Town has brought us to ask a simple question, “what is a boundary?” The field work and interviews have hypothesized that the meaning and nature of boundaries in this rural context differ significantly from what is typically experienced in cities.
The process of filming various boundary spaces in Taiki Town has taught us that these boundaries are both random and fluid with many “gray” areas. Boundary is not just about dividing two areas but also about connecting two different entities gently, suggesting a sense of unity and continuity. This fluid and interconnected approach to boundaries in Taiki Town is distinct from the conventional notion of rigid and distinct separations. It reflects the adaptability and harmony with which the local community interacts with its environment.

・問い合わせ先：iedp(at) edu.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp
©緑地環境デザインスタジオ, NUS X UTokyo Joint Summer Workshop 2023