Sustainable Design Camp 2025 held at Kyushu University

From August 1 to 9, 2025, Kyushu University’s Ito Campus hosted the Sustainable Design Camp 2025—an international urban design workshop that brought together 97 undergraduate and graduate students from nine universities across six countries and regions. Participating institutions included Kyushu University (Japan); University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (USA); Pusan National University and Chungbuk National University (South Korea); National University of Singapore (Singapore); National Ilan University and Chinese Culture University (Taiwan); and Tongji University and Tianjin University (China).

This camp was first launched in 2009 as a small joint initiative with Tongji University, involving just 30 participants. Over the past 17 years, it has grown into a major international program, now welcoming nearly 100 students annually.

The theme of this year’s camp was “Future Vision for Hakata Bay in Fukuoka City.” Students were divided into nine interdisciplinary teams, each tasked with developing innovative urban design concepts for one of eight coastal districts in western Fukuoka: Ikinomatsubara, Odo, Atago, Momochi, Jigyō, Fukuhama, Aratsu, and Nagahama. Through lectures by local residents, government officials, and experts, as well as field surveys and collaborative discussions, each team proposed visionary designs for their assigned area. The final presentations showcased the outcomes of intensive, full-day learning sessions that truly embodied the spirit of a “camp.”

Fukuoka City, historically known as a gateway to Asia, continues to thrive as a hub of innovation and growth. Despite Japan’s nationwide challenges of population decline and aging, Fukuoka maintains a growing population and a high quality of urban life.

In recent years, the city has placed a strong focus on sustainable urban development, particularly in waterfront areas such as Hakata Bay and its rivers. These projects aim to create accessible public spaces, improve environmental conditions, and enhance disaster resilience—striking a balance between urban appeal, safety, and sustainability.

During the camp, students explored the urban context and focused on the western coastline of Hakata Bay. They identified local challenges and proposed tailored solutions and future visions for each district. Their designs reflected diverse perspectives, from community engagement and tourism to everyday life, emphasizing environmental sustainability and resident well-being.

This camp serves as a valuable platform for nurturing the next generation of designers, researchers, and policymakers through international and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Among the participating universities, Kyushu University has established university-wide agreements with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Pusan National University, the National University of Singapore, and Tongji University. Notably, Kyushu University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have established a strategic partnership that promotes deeper collaboration in education and research with leading institutions around the world.

Kyushu University remains committed to advancing initiatives that connect local communities with the global academic and research landscape.

Schedule

Contact

For inquiries regarding Sustainable Design Camp 2025:
Prasanna Divigalpitiya Dr.Eng.
Associate Professor, Kyushu University
Faculty of Human-Environment Studies
prasanna★arch.kyushu-u.ac.jp

For inquiries regarding the strategic partnership:
Global Partnership and Alliance, International Affairs Division
intlsenryaku★jimu.kyushu-u.ac.jp

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