ICT-Mediated and Digital Technologies for Resilience of Cities (IDRC): Sustainability Pathways to meet Positive Peace

 

The focus of the research programme is on identifying and evaluating ICT-mediated and digital technologies for enhancing the resilience of cities through sustainability transitions. This will be focused on the NERPS’ central theme of peace and sustainability, as well as transdisciplinary methods to the enhancement of institutional structures. This project plan will be further developed with the team to ensure if it fits the needs and perspectives of the research pathways at Hiroshima University. The study is based on transdisciplinary research area #2, “Digital technologies in the context of the nexus in an increasingly digital world (AI, Big Data, ICT, digital divide)” in connection with the secondary research area #4, “Governance and institutions, and justice in the context of the nexus (local, national and international systems)”. In doing so, the intention is to study further linkages between the primary area and the impacts and/or pathways that may be seen in achieving the SDGs and the practice of sustainability, especially from the perspectives of governance and contextual development. The primary goals of this selection are: (1) to expand on the emerging topics or new areas that need to be explored further in relation to digital technologies, particularly through enabling transition and innovation platforms. In doing so, the foremost aim is to investigate the position of key digital areas (such as, AI, Big Data, ICT, and Digital Divide) in achieving or enabling pathways to achieve resilience of cities through the understanding of the SDGs. The aim of the study is to explore and evaluate ICT-based methods and medium (Including ICT platforms, digital technologies, ICT tools/apps, and mechanisms) for enhancing the resilience of cities. The findings would determine sustainability pathways to meet selected positive peace dimensions.

 

Short-term (until March 2021)

• A comprehensive horizon scanning of the nexus between ‘ICT-based/Digital-Techs’ and ‘Urban Resilience’ to: (a) identify categories of initiatives/projects worldwide; (b) select at least three types of initiatives/projects in three streams of ‘environmental’, ‘socio-economic’, and ‘health’; and (c) evaluate their success and failures in conceptualization, implementation, and execution;
• One review paper;
• Preparation of two conference papers;
• One report

Medium-term (until March 2022)

• Four studies based on four selected dimensions of positive peace, namely: (i) Well-functioning government; (ii) Equitable distribution of resources; (iii) Free flow of information; and (iv) Good relations with neighbours.
• Four research papers;
• One report
• Four sets of sustainability checklists (one per study in WP#2);
• An interchangeability analysis of four sustainability dimensions in each studies case.
• Two workshops held in Japan;
• Two stakeholder engagement events in country cases, as well as one in Japan.

Long-term (until March 2024)

• Enhance project impact on the field of research;
• Proposal for external research funding through joint mechanism;
• Support continuing researchers for further career development.

1. Cheshmehzangi, Ali and Hengcai Chen. 2021. China’s Sustainability Transitions: Low Carbon and Climate-Resilient Plan for Carbon Neutral 2060. Singapore: Springer.
2. Cheshmehzangi, Ali. 2021. Urban Health, Sustainability, and Peace in the Day the World Stopped. Singapore: Springer.