Session Abstract for VEC Conference UCCN 2016

Ishikawa-Kanazawa Biocultural Region –Local platform by different
sectors and academic network fostering creativity Mikiko Nagai1, Yoshihiko Iida1, Naomi Uchida2, Asami Shikida3
1 United Nation’s University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, Operating Unit
Ishikawa/Kanazawa
2 Saitama University
3 Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

Background Study
Kanazawa city and United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study ofSustainability (UNU-IAS) have been jointly conducting research on the biodiversity
conservation and utilization of ecosystem services in Kanazawa city. Through thestudy on the linkage between the city’s traditional culture and local ecosystemservices including climatic and geographical conditions, the intrinsic interdependence
between cultural creativity and local biodiversity has been highlighted. The study not
only explored the physical and social background on how the traditional culture wascontinuously influenced by local biodiversity, but also emphasized that the linkage isstill vital and can contribute to the current development of local modern culture andits innovation.
Policy recommendation and implementation
At the UCCN Kanazawa 2015, UNU-IAS held an international symposium to reporton the above study outputs and suggested “Ishikawa-Kanazawa Biocultural Region”
for integrated conservation of local biodiversity and cultural diversity based on thereciprocal relationship of both factors. Such conservation will contribute to thesustainable use of internal and the surrounding healthy ecosystem that constantlyproduce rich ecosystem services.
The concept includes “dual ” integration: 1) integration of policy development
processes of different political issues such as cultural promotion and biodiversity
conservation, and 2) integration of different sectors including civil society, academia
and policy makers as well as vertical integration of different administrative scales
such as the city and surrounding municipalities for synergetic collaboration.
The concept described above can be referred to as a “Biocultural Region. This
strategy “was introduced into Kanazawa city’s biodiversity strategy that wasdeveloped in 2015. It is expected that the city’s strategy will be implemented in theabove-mentioned integrated manner with some specific key projects. In addition,Kanazawa city aims at promoting the acclaimed craft art “Kogei” to attract leading
consumers of cultural services and goods. “Kogei” can be associated with othercultural activities such as music, media art and gastronomy. Rich biological resources
underlie these cultural products/activities and provide authenticity to them.
Implication for UNESCO Creative City Network

Furthermore, this study marked the importance of linking the academic community
with the policy development process. This interaction played a critical role in building
a local platform that can attract the participation of many stakeholders from various
social sectors and domains. This collaboration by different stakeholders led to theauthenticity of cultural initiatives. This approach could be scaled up at global level aspart of an emerging UCCN academic network.
In this session, Kanazawa city’s biocultural policy, which was developed incollaboration with a variety of participants, will be explored. The experiences of joint
policy making with the public and private sector in Kanazawa will be further
discussed to target a future academic hub for scientific and research activities
associated with the UCCN. Case study presentations in this session include 1)
visualization of the linkages between local ecosystem services and locally developedculture, 2) initiatives for fostering cultural creativity by local NPO, 3) theoreticalanalysis of sustainable resource use for future regional development through thebiocultural diversity concept. This session will conclude with a panel discussion on
how to enhance the Ishikawa-kanazawa biocultural region and the implications forsustainable regional policy.
References: The Ishikawa-Kanazawa Biocultural Region: A model for linkage
between biological diversity and cultural prosperity. UNU-IAS OUIK (2015).