Restoration of Yanagawa’s Canals
Yanagawa’s canals were once devastated. The citizens participated in the movement to improve environment,
ahead of other cities. Their driving force was that, during the over 100 meetings with the government, each member
recalled the “life with the canals,” the days people enjoyed fishing and playing in the water.
With the understanding and cooperation by the citizens, dredging was unexpectedly well proceeded in a shortperiod, together with the citizens. It resulted in a dramatic decline of mosquitoes, in changing previously floodprone areas to flood-free, and in a rise of citizens’ morale for river protection. Especially, the ex-moat sections in
the central target areas, where coastal planted landscaping and walking trails were constructed, are now organicallyutilized as the relaxation place for the local people, and have many tourists, contributing to the Yanagawa City’seconomy.

Key to Restoration¾¾¾

River cleaning plan
Enlightenment activities that realized citizens’ understanding and participation
Traditional cultured city’s preservation section development projectOverview of the CanalsYanagawa City on the front of the Ariake Sea, in the southern part ofFukuoka Prefecture, is a town of water. The water network (rivers andcanals) that honeycombs the city had long been the base of the town. It
was connected closely with people’s living and production activities, andplayed an important role. The water was used for cooking and washing aswell as for drinking, plus transportation.
However, water transportation was replaced by land transportation.
Dredging water course to add fertile soil on farms became no longer
necessary due to the modernization of farm work. Especially, theintroduction of chemical fertilizers added a burden on water
Yanagawa’s canals
resources. Also the drinking water system’s penetration deprived thecanals of their value as drinking water source. The shift from pipe-up toilet to tank toilet added to thewastewater’s direct inflow to the channels, accelerating the water pollution. Observing such a situation, theawakened citizens were eventually moved by the sentiment to regain the clean water, and the restoration efforts
started.

Project Efforts for Restoration【River cleaning plan】
It aims at: regaining the clean water in the devastated rivers and canals, based on citizens’ participation;
restoring a comfortable living environment synthesized by water and greenery; carrying it over to the next
generation. Specifically, “river development” and “prevention of wastewater inflow,” represented by
dredging, securing streams, creating coastal planted landscaping, and preparing walking trails, were focused
as well as “maintenance and management” with citizens’ participation.
【Enlightenment activities that realized citizens’ understanding and participation】
The basic idea was that citizens’ understanding and participation was indispensable for river cleaning, andthat the government needed to directly and closely communicate with the citizens to enlighten them.
Round-table gatherings and other enlightening activities were done. Such activities, including over 100
meetings in two years, raised the citizen’s latent hope for clean water. For instance, though dredging had
been expected to be difficult and time-consuming, it completed in an unexpectedly short period, together
with the citizens who understood and were ready to cooperate.
【Traditional cultured city’s preservation section development project】
Yanagawa’s canals area was designated in “Traditional cultured city’s preservation section development
project,” one of the local cities development pilot projects based on the third national planning in 1978.
This project aimed at restoring and purifying rivers and canals, enhancing various facilities like bankprotection works, walking trails, and vegetation to make the area suitable for settlement. It also aimed atreviewing the relationship between water and citizens; making the canals the key of the city’s traditional
culture; restoring, conserving, and utilizing a comfortable living environment synthesized by water system.
Source: FY 2003: Support project for the publication of study activity result on water environments ”Canals andjourney of water -- to restore historical water town --”, Society of Water, 2004.1.24.