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The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund

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The University of Tokyo School of Engineering, Department of Urban Engineering    Associate Professor: Kiyo Kurisu

Assessing contributions to sustainable urban formation from the introduction of public allotments as a food source for low-income households

Research grant

Project Description

This project evaluates trials of systems that provide fresh vegetables from public allotments used by the elderly and the like as a food source to supplement existing foodbanks. Specifically, it is evaluating the effects of foodbanks on reducing food waste and the possibility of turning vacant land into public allotments. It will also investigate ecosystems found in these allotments and survey public preferences. Additionally, by investigating and analyzing the improvements in nutrition in low-income households, increases in motivation among the elderly, health advancements, and the comprehensive effects on the community, this initiative will assess the multiple social and environmental effects and create a recommendation aimed at realizing sustainable urban formation. [No. R18-0044]

Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund FY2018 Research Grants List (PDF 193KB)

Fields
Resource Circulation
Grant year
FY2018 Research Grants
Grant term
3 years (April 2019 - March 2022)
Grant amount
¥9,500,000
Activity region
Tokyo, Yamanashi, Ibaraki
Example of a farm

Overview of the Organization

Associate Professor: Kiyo Kurisu
Project organization
The University of Tokyo School of Engineering
Department of Urban Engineering
Representative
Associate Professor: Kiyo Kurisu
Profile
Specialist field: Environmental systems
Affiliated academic societies: Society of Environmental Science (Japan), The Institute of Life Cycle Assessment (Japan), Japan Society of Civil Engineers, Japan Society on Water Environment, Center for Environmental Information Science
Background:
1995: Obtained B.A. from the University of Tokyo Faculty of Engineering's Department of Urban Engineering
1997: Obtained M.A. in Urban Engineering from the University of Tokyo School of Engineering
2000: Obtained PhD in Urban Engineering from the University of Tokyo School of Engineering
2000: Became assistant professor at the University of Tokyo School of Engineering
2006: Became a lecturer at the University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology
2015: Became associate professor at the University of Tokyo School of Engineering, Department of Urban Engineering
Research record
  • Kurisu, K., N. Kimura, K. Hanaki, Expression effects of public service advertisements on intentions to act for global warming. Journal of Cleaner Production, 218, 1045-1054 (2019).
  • Soga, M., D.T.C. Cox, Y. Yamamura, K.J. Gaston, K. Kurisu, K. Hanaki, Health benefits of urban allotment gardening: improved physical and psychological wellbeing and social integration. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(1), 71, doi:10.3390/ijerph14010071 (2017).
  • Kamei, M., K. Kurisu, K. Hanaki, Tokyo's long-term socioeconomic pathways: towards a sustainable future. Sustainable Cities and Society, 27, 73-82 (2016).
  • Kosuke Shirai, Kiyo Kurisu, Keisuke Hanaki, Evaluation of influential factors on food risk perception. Journal of Japan Society of Civil Engineers, Ser. G (Environmental Research), 71 (6), II_99- II_107 (2015).
  • Osamu Saito, Jarkko Habas, Kosuke Shirai, Kiyo Kurisu, Toshiya Aramaki, Keigo Hanaki, Actual conditions of market-independent food supply services in Hachijojima and a consideration for creating a resilient island. Journal of Japan Society of Civil Engineers, Ser. G (Environmental Research), 71(6), II_349-357 (2015).
  • Kurisu, K., A.P. Bortoleto, Comparison of current waste prevention behaviors in three megacity regions in Japan in the context of local measures and socio-demographics. Waste Management, 31(7), 1441-1449 (2011).
  • Kurisu, K., "Pro-environmental Behaviors," Springer Japan, Tokyo, 165 p. (2015) single author.
WEB site
http://www.esys.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/member/kiyo/kiyo.html