On November 14, 2025, Associate Professor Taketo Ujihara from the Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science at Okayama University was honored with the Okayama City Cultural Encouragement Award for the academic category. This prestigious award, established in the 1974 fiscal year, recognizes individuals and groups that have significantly contributed to the cultural development of Okayama City.
Throughout his career, Ujihara has dedicated himself to addressing regional issues within Okayama Prefecture and beyond, focusing on sustainable urban structures and planning methods. His research employs land use analysis and traffic behavior studies to better understand and develop effective urban policies. Moreover, he has been actively involved in investigating behavioral changes amongst citizens and conducting practical research relating to urban development.
His collaborative projects between industry, academia, and government have already begun to be implemented in Okayama City, indicating a strong potential for national expansion. Several of his initiatives aim at resolving regional challenges and are expected to contribute significantly to urban and town planning disciplines in the near future. As such, Ujihara has earned high praise for his work, which ultimately led to his receiving this distinguished award.
In addition to his research, Ujihara also launched an educational platform called "Ujihara Sensei's Compact City Course," which aims to raise public awareness about sustainable urban development. Through this initiative, he promotes knowledge sharing via a dedicated website and a YouTube channel, making the complicated concepts of urban planning accessible to the general populace.
The recognition bestowed upon Ujihara is a testament to the value of his work and the impact it has on the community. As a research university known for its unique characteristics, Okayama University continues to contribute meaningfully to society. Stakeholders are encouraged to follow Ujihara's ongoing endeavors and appreciate the promising direction in which he is leading sustainable urban development initiatives.
For more about Professor Ujihara’s research group, you can visit the Okayama University Urban and Transportation Planning Laboratory at
their site. For those interested in the "Compact City Course," check out the
homepage and the
YouTube channel.
Overall, Okayama University, under the guidance of President Yoshitomo Nasu, aims to enhance its communal contributions and continues to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The government has recognized the university's efforts with a special award at the first Japan SDGs Awards, confirming its status as a regional core research university with a commitment to sustainable development.
Expectations for both Okayama University and Taketo Ujihara's projects remain high as they strive to innovate further and serve as a hub for responsible research and community engagement, fostering a sustainable future for all.