Planning perspectives of the Dutch civil engineers that influenced the formation of urban infrastructure in modern Japan

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K14943
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 23040:Architectural history and design-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto Institute of Technology (2022); National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management (2020-2021)
• Principal Investigator: IWAMOTO KAZUMASA 京都工芸繊維大学, デザイン・建築学系, 助教 (20850142)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: オランダ人技師 / 都市形成史 / 港湾都市 / 河川 / 土木史

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Civil engineering has played a crucial role in Japan's modernization since the mid-19th century. A prime example of this is the design and engineering of Japanese ports during the 1870s to 1890s. This study specifically focuses on urban development in Japan during the Meiji era, a time when cities experienced rapid transformations in their spatial and technological aspects due to the introduction of Western technology. The objective is to shed light on the contributions made by the foreign experts employed during that period. To achieve this, the study examines investigative reports, design drawings, and survey maps created by Dutch civil engineers. The emphasis is placed on urban infrastructure projects, particularly those related to ports and rivers, which were planned and designed by Dutch civil engineers. Through the survey, this study aims to elucidate how the Dutch engineers bridged the gap between the introduction of Western technology and development of Japanese urban space.

Free Research Field

都市形成史

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

明治期の日本は、国際的には非西洋国で最初に近代化を迎えた国として位置付けられている。こうした世界的にも稀な時代における都市形成の実態、すなわち西洋技術が導入される過程および導入による都市空間への影響を評価することは、我が国の都市形成を国際的に価値づけることに貢献することができると考えられる。
また、オランダ人技師の設計した河川・港湾施設には現在も機能している施設も複数存在することから、これらの歴史的価値を高め、保存・活用に向けた基礎的知見を提供することにも寄与することが可能である点において、本研究が学術的および社会的な意義を有する。