Research Institute for Urban & Environmental Development, Japan (UED)

Fundamental Principle

Research Institute for Urban & Environmental Development, Japan (UED) is a research institute established to consistently promote interdisciplinary research and studies that contribute to the formation of a vibrant society of tomorrow, from national development to urban development and human development, while placing importance on people-to-people interaction.

To this end, while maintaining an internal staff of diverse researchers, we are advancing as a think tank that conducts comprehensive and practical research with the cooperation of external experts whenever necessary.

Incorporation	July 5, 1972
Transition to a General Incorporated Foundation	July 2, 2012
Basic Assets	100,000 thousand yen

In July 2012, Research Institute for Urban & Environmental Development, Japan (UED) became a general incorporated foundation based on its 45-year history since July 5, 1972.

Major Subjects of Urban and Regional Research Division

1.Research and proposal on national and regional spatial development

• National and regional spatial development in the era of population decrease, decentralization, and low carbon society
• Reorganization of the regional structure of metropolitan areas; land use and environmental conservation in bay areas such as Tokyo Bay
• Cooperation and interaction measures among municipalities in a wide geographical area

2.Research and proposals on urban and regional development and urban planning

• Strategic urban and regional development planning (industry, culture, landscape, environment, etc.)
• Regional development strategies utilizing the educational and research functions of universities and other institutions
• Formulation and proposal of comprehensive urban management strategies
• Urban and regional management utilizing geographic information systems (GIS)

3.Research and proposal on various local issues and community building

• Revitalization of local communities in the context of population decrease and population aging (welfare, mutual aid, crime prevention, etc.)
• Collaboration between intermediary support organizations and local communities for local revitalization and environmental preservation
• Support for child rearing; improvement of child-rearing environment; gender equality; multigenerational exchange; multicultural symbiosis; etc.
• Identification and utilization of local resources for creation of local vitality (industry, tourism, human resources, etc.)

4.Research and consulting on policy and project management

• Measurement of the effects of administrative initiatives and proposals for their improvement (ex-ante evaluation - monitoring - ex-post evaluation)
• Project management for urban and local area development (ditto)
• Public-private partnerships for urban development and public interest facilities development
• Consulting and management for effective utilization of public land

5.Research and proposal on the development of overseas cities and regions and the internationalization of Japanese cities and regions

• Research on national spatial, urban and housing policies in advanced and developing countries
• Research and proposal on national spatial, urban, and regional policies for developing partnerships in Asia
• Urban and regional development projects in Asia and other developing countries
• Urban and regional development in Japan to meet the challenges for internationalization

Major Subjects of Higher Education Regional Research Division

1.Research and consulting on reform and reorganization of educational and research organizations

• Reform and reorganization of faculties and departments
• Reorganization of schools and departments of postgraduate studies (master's and doctoral programs)
• Establishment of new educational and research organizations (independent, professional, cooperative, and collaborative types)

2.Research and consulting on upgrading educational and research functions

• Development of curricula and educational and course guidance methods
• Analysis and evaluation of faculty organization
• Methods and systems for selection and administration of applicants
• Development and research of systems and methods to support education and research (GPA, FD, SD, TA/SA, etc.)
• Support for university evaluation (Certified Evaluation and Accreditation)

3.Research and consulting for establishment of universities, etc.

• Support for preparation and implementation of application plans for establishment approval, and responses in examination process
• Support for preparation and implementation of application plans for reorganization and articles of endowment (amendments), and responses in examination process
• Support for preparation and implementation of application plans for accreditation and designation of teacher certification programs, and handling of examination process

4.Research and consulting on management and future planning of universities (national, public, and private educational corporations)

• Analysis and evaluation of the management and operation of each corporation and survey on countermeasures
• Proposal, preparation, and review on medium and long-term future plans, etc.
• Review and evaluation of the management and operation of educational and research divisions of universities

5.Demand and basic surveys on universities and other higher educational institutions

• Survey on demand for higher education
• Survey on demand for human resources
• Students' perception survey
• Survey of faculty and staff perceptions on education and research
• Students' evaluation of teaching