The role of community-based organizations for urban river restoration projects in zenpukuji river, Tokyo, Japan

This paper documents the role that a civic organization, “Zenpuku Frog,” that has played in advocacy, planning, and implementation of the project “Our Dream Waterway”, a waterway landscape zone in Zenpukuji Park, Tokyo. In this urban river revitalization project, this civic organization contributed in the following manner: a) creating citizen science and learning opportunities; b) forming an open, multi-generational network; c) offering a watershed-wide vision; d) sharing a framework; e) communicating to diverse citizens; f) expanding arenas for discussion; g) building intergovernmental consensus; h) submitting a revision plan that bridged the preliminary plan and the finalized plan; i) designing a community-based platform; and j) promoting participatory construction. The paper also schematized the civic participation process as a cycle of envisioning, action, implementation, and management through the cooperation of community groups, citizens, and government.