Regional Revitalization Research Articles (Page 1)

Purpose Similar to the neighboring countries in the East Asia, Taiwan is facing serious demographic challenges, particularly in rural areas, and is juggling the balance between international and local needs. Inspired by the Japanese concept of “regional revitalization,” Taiwan has implemented similar strategies to address population decline and ensure economic growth. From the perspective of university social responsibility (USR), this study aims to explore how the Taiwanese government tackles local issue while pursuing international competition and cooperation. It also examines how local universities address their seemingly divergent missions of “internationalization” and “regional revitalization.” Design/methodology/approach This study employed qualitative research methods. Through document analysis, this study covered government policies related to internationalization and regional revitalization in Taiwan. It also conducted interviews with senior leaders, faculty members and administrative support staff of local universities in Taiwan to explore the current state, strategy and challenges of internationalization in local communities. Regarding interview selection, this study targeted two universities, including one located in central and the other located in southern areas of Taiwan. Both universities are national universities. Findings The findings illustrate that while University A and University B adopt distinct institutional logics – civic engagement and educational development in the former, technical innovation and applied learning in the latter – both contribute meaningfully to a more contextually embedded model of internationalization. Their approaches reflect an emergent paradigm in higher education: one in which internationalization is not pursued in isolation but is deeply interwoven with local development. Originality/value This paper offers original insight by analyzing how non-elite, regionally based universities in Taiwan integrate internationalization with regional revitalization under the framework of university social responsibility. It uniquely reveals how differing institutional missions and disciplinary strengths shape strategic responses to national policy and highlights the potential of localized, glocal approaches to transform higher education's role in development.

Purpose Due to constraints in financial and human resources, non-metropolitan universities face a significant research gap characterized by limited internationalization capacity and local engagement. Thus, it is worth examining whether local or non-metropolitan universities in Taiwan can effectively achieve internationalization objectives through commitment to the regional revitalization agenda and engagement in University Social Responsibility (USR) initiatives. Thus, this study aims to explore the alignment between internationalization, regional revitalization and USR programs in eight selected universities located in non-metropolitan areas of Taiwan. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a qualitative approach via document analysis and semi-structured interviews to perceive the linkage between internationalization, regional revitalization and the Ministry of Education's USR programs and approaches adopted by eight non-metropolitan universities in Taiwan. The purposive sampling was applied to select eight case universities in the study. All selected institutions are located outside the country's major metropolitan centers and are geographically distributed across the northern, central, southern and eastern regions of Taiwan. The university president, vice president and senior administrators of eight universities were invited to share their opinions on the university's internationalization policies, USR program implementation and challenges encountered via semi-structured interviews. Findings There are four major findings. First, according to institutional mission, alignment with their strengths and USR program engagement, the study concluded there are four implementation types of USR programs. Regional hub institutions showed a stronger tendency toward international and cross-sectoral collaboration by comparing mission-oriented, market-driven and community service-based types. Second, there was a lack of coordination among efforts in internationalization, USR programs and regional revitalization, largely due to a fragmented administrative structure – except in cases of a regional hub. Third, a top-down approach is regarded as a key enabler for the success of their USR programs. Fourth, limited faculty engagement and a lack of university leadership support were the two biggest challenges. Originality/value In contrast to the prevailing strategies adopted by prestigious universities in Asia, local or non-metropolitan universities in Taiwan are exploring alternative approaches to establish their legitimacy in internationalization efforts. These efforts are closely aligned with national priorities, particularly regional revitalization, as promoted through USR programs. However, constrained by limited financial and human resources, these institutions face a significant gap in both internationalization capacity and local engagement. This empirical study can contribute to the higher education discourse by highlighting this critical and underexplored issue.

Purpose This study aims to explore an emerging paradigm of internationalization in local universities in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, aiming to contribute to sustainable regional development amid population decline. Design/methodology/approach To achieve the research purpose, we examined internationalization strategies, objectives and initiatives at local universities in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Six universities in each country/region were asked to complete a survey on their internationalization practices. Interviews were also conducted with key actors in university-wide internationalization or regional revitalization activities, including senior leaders, academics and administrators. Findings The study revealed that social contribution and engagement were low priorities among the objectives for the internationalization of higher education (IoHE); however, internationalization efforts aimed at supporting sustainable regional development were observed and categorized into four types: glocal human resource development, local talent retention through collaboration with local industries and organizations, local industry and value creation, and creation and expansion of related populations. Reflecting on these internationalization efforts, an emerging internationalization strategy was identified as a means of sustainable regional development. Research limitations/implications The findings of this study are based on an analysis of 18 purposefully selected local universities in three East Asian countries/regions experiencing rapid and severe population decline. Although an emerging internationalization strategy was identified, further research involving non-elite, non-metropolitan universities in other regions is needed to validate and refine this strategy as a broadly applicable model. Practical implications This study provides evidence of a noticeable gap between the internationalization efforts being implemented and the institutional internationalization objectives. It suggests that government policy should support and guide the emerging internationalization approach toward a more deliberate and sustainable model. Social implications This study demonstrates that the internationalization of local universities has the potential to contribute to sustainable regional development by identifying four key internationalization initiatives linked to the university’s third mission of social contribution and community engagement. Originality/value This study presents an international comparative analysis of case studies conducted in three East Asian countries/regions, focusing on the internationalization of local universities. It explores the role of higher education internationalization in supporting the universities’ third mission by identifying internationalization efforts linked to sustainable regional development. This study identifies an emerging strategy for the internationalization of higher education.

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the relationship between the conceptualization of foreign workers’ roles in regional revitalization, their visibility, and the support they receive in rural Japan amid population decline and labor shortages. Foreign workers in rural areas are often less visible and more vulnerable than their urban counterparts, as rural communities typically lack the resources needed to support them effectively. In Japan, this is largely due to the absence of comprehensive immigration policies. The 2019 Comprehensive Strategy to Overcome Population Decline and Revitalize Local Economies acknowledged the importance of foreign workers in regional revitalization and prompted local governments to enhance their support through financial incentives. However, significant disparities in support persist across rural municipalities. This study, drawing on fieldwork conducted in three rural municipalities in Kyūshū between 2021 and 2023, explores the varying responses of local governments to international labor migration. It compares how these governments perceive foreign workers, their role in regional revitalization, and the nature of the support provided, examining how these factors influence the workers’ visibility within their communities. By highlighting differences among rural municipalities, the research reveals how marginalized groups, like foreign workers, are often excluded from the public sphere, impacting their access to services and the policies that govern them. The paper argues that the (in)visibility of foreign workers in rural Japan is not merely an outcome of local governance but also a determinant in the diverse approaches to their conceptualization and support.

The Surya Kencana area in Bogor City is a culinary and cultural center that is full of historical values and ethnic diversity, especially Chinese, Sundanese, and Betawi. However, the region faces challenges due to climate change, urbanization, and environmental degradation that threaten the preservation of local cultures and food systems. This research aims to identify regional revitalization strategies through the green gastronomy approach, namely culinary practices that are sustainable, environmentally friendly, and based on local wisdom. Using qualitative methods with field observations, interviews, and document studies, this study found that the preservation of heritage buildings, the use of local and seasonal foodstuffs, waste management, and community education are important pillars in the transformation of Surya Kencana as a sustainable gastronomic tourism destination. The study also highlights the potential of rare fruits such as menteng and alkesa as innovative elements in local culinary development. A comparison with green gastronomy practices in Bali shows that Surya Kencana has a great opportunity to become the "Ubud of Bogor" through strengthening branding, community collaboration, and adaptive regional governance strategies. The results of this research are expected to be the basis for the development of sustainable culinary tourism policies in other cultural heritage cities

Initiatives to Regional Revitalization through e-Sports Facilities from the Perspective of Urban Planning

This study analyzes domestic and international cases of idle space revitalization in rural, mountain, and fishing villages as well as in urban areas to explore progressive directions for regional design from the perspective of inclusive spatial design in rural contexts. The analysis confirms that idle spaces can serve as creative hubs that reflect the cultural assets and identity of local communities. Design strategies that incorporate resident participation and the local cultural context contribute to spatial transformation and the restoration of regional identity. Rural cases demonstrate the potential of inclusive public hubs that integrate education, welfare, and income generation. Resident engagement, cultural and artistic integration, multifunctionality, and the pursuit of sustainability are identified as key elements of regional revitalization, and the study emphasizes that spatial design strategies that holistically integrate these elements can significantly contribute to the recovery and development of local communities.

Rural plans incorporating regional identity are vital for fostering regional revitalization and offering viable policy alternatives. The need for a systematic approach that recognizes both the diversity and shared characteristics of rural areas has become increasingly clear. Although numerous studies have explored rural classification, research examining specific regional characteristics remains limited. Hence, this study aimed to establish a comprehensive standard for developing effective rural plans. To this end, a study was conducted to classify the characteristics of rural areas using topic modeling, which is a text-mining algorithm. An analysis of publications on rural revitalization projects in Korea over the past decade revealed five common factors of success themes across each region. The five success factors, “local cultural experience”, “environment and landscape utilization”, “community activation”, “regional infrastructure development”, and “local economic activation”, should be considered in rural areas with different characteristics when establishing rural plans and policies. This classification of success factors serves as the foundation for establishing rural plans and policies. By applying different weights to the five success factors according to the unique characteristics and conditions of each region, it would open a great number of possibilities to establish more precise and effective customized plans. Future research is required to provide more empirical and broadly applicable results based on the classification framework proposed in this study.

Cultural heritage reflects accumulated memories, generational practices, and esthetic and cultural ideologies that shape identities. The inherent diversity and uniqueness of these identities define heritage elements, which, however, remain fragile, non-renewable, irreplaceable, and vulnerable. In regions affected by the significant devastation caused by contemporary socio-economic activities, policies often neglect the intrinsic historical and heritage value(s). The historical landscapes with tourism potential that experience decline, degradation, and destruction need even more protection and policies to aid their regeneration and preservation. This study seeks to develop a comprehensive framework for preserving a highly endangered historical road, along with its invaluable monuments and cultural landscapes, as a means to stimulate regional revitalization. The methodological approach relies on observation, field work, and semi-structured interviews to provide a comprehensive historical overview of the Estrada do Paraibuna (Paraibuna Road). This region has suffered significant degradation of its historical and natural assets as a result of intensive resource exploitation. This study underscores the heritage elements with strong tourism potential along the route between Ouro Preto and Barbacena, while underlining the critical need to combat landscape degradation. This study pursues to create a shared vision rooted in promoting sustainable practices that leverage natural and cultural resources, safeguard local culture, and encourage community collaboration in regenerative efforts.

From visitors to vitality: How relational populations support regional revitalization in aging urban and rural areas

A Comparative Study of Regional Revitalization Approaches in Korea and Japan : Focusing on Kamiyama and Gunsan

This study quantitatively analyzed the spatial characteristics of 3425 historical and cultural resources across the Chungcheong region of South Korea and proposed strategies for regional revitalization. Each asset was evaluated on a five-point scale, and spatial patterns were examined using kernel density estimation (KDE), Moran’s I, and Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA). The results show that the historical and cultural resources in the Chungcheong region form significant clusters, particularly in areas such as Boryeong, Seosan, Gongju, and Buyeo, which were historically associated with administrative, Confucian, and Buddhist functions. A Moran’s I value of 0.272 was obtained, indicating statistically significant spatial autocorrelation, and the LISA analysis identified “high–high” clusters as key zones with concentrated high-value assets. This study also revealed mismatches between designated cultural properties and areas with high-value but unrecognized resources, emphasizing the need for more inclusive heritage policies. These findings suggest that historical resources should be understood not as isolated sites, but as interconnected cultural landscapes. This research supports the development of tailored, place-based urban regeneration strategies that leverage cultural heritage as a foundation for sustainable regional identity and growth.

In recent years, “Tame-map” has emerged as a social media platform for local revitalization. It is a web application for sharing local information. It enables users to conveniently post and view information on local events in their daily lives. Because many “Tame-map” users are likely to participate in events, increasing the number of views is an important issue from the perspective of regional revitalization. The design relies on the organizer’s experience and intuition, and there is no established method for developing a design that attracts a large number of viewers. Therefore, if the number of visitors can be predicted in advance, it is feasible to reconsider the design of flyers based on this information. In addition, in click-through rate (CTR) prediction, which is an aspect of advertising analysis, it has been revealed that predicting the user attributes of viewers contributes to improving the prediction accuracy. However, in the “Tame-map” system, user attributes of viewers do not exist. In this study, we aim to clarify the extent to which considering the generational tags assigned to events would impact the prediction of click counts.

Amid accelerating globalization and urbanization, regional revitalization has become a key policy direction for countries to address regional decline. Among these, social capital and community empowerment can significantly promote regional development. Social capital emphasizes how trust, norms, and reciprocity facilitate collective action, while community empowerment focuses on improving residents’ participation and autonomous decision-making capacity. Existing research primarily focuses on cases from Europe and America; there is no in-depth exploration of the interaction between regional revitalization and social capital in Taiwan. Notably, systematic studies are lacking regarding the mechanisms through which University Social Responsibility (USR) programs engage and promote community development. This study takes the Wanli and Jinshan districts in northern Taiwan as case study examples. We employ action research and qualitative research methods to analyze the role of social capital and community empowerment in regional revitalization. This paper reviews how internal trust and cooperation within a community build bonding social capital. It explores how USR programs promote collaboration between communities and external resources through bridging social capital. The findings indicate that bonding social capital can enhance community cohesion and support regional revitalization efforts; bridging social capital can introduce academic, corporate, and governmental resources, providing technical and financial support for community innovation. The participatory mechanism of USR programs not only fosters civic awareness development but also offers a cross-organizational cooperation platform for regional revitalization, enabling communities to integrate internal and external resources more effectively. The results of this study indicate that bonding and bridging social capital can achieve complementary effects through USR programs, further promoting community empowerment and regional development. This study deepens the application of social capital theory in regional revitalization. It provides an empirical basis for policymakers and academic institutions to optimize the planning and implementation of future USR programs. While the study focuses on a geographically bounded set of cases and employs an exploratory qualitative design, these choices enabled a rich, context-sensitive understanding of how regional self-governance and community capital may be strengthened in practice. Future research could extend this line of inquiry by examining additional locales, adopting longitudinal perspectives, and integrating mixed-method approaches, thereby further amplifying the robustness and applicability of the propositions advanced here.

Under the Rural Revitalization Strategy, the construction of visual symbols and experiential design for regional cultural brands has become a critical approach to activating local economies. This study focuses on the "Warm City, Diverse Flavors" agricultural and pastoral brand in Ordos, employing design methodologies to explore innovative strategies across three dimensions: brand symbol system design, multi-sensory experience construction, and localized cultural translation. Through participatory design research, brand visual narrative analysis, and service design thinking, this research systematically deconstructs the modern translation pathways of grassland cultural symbols, establishing a three-dimensional design model comprising a "brand gene bank–visual narrative system–multi-modal interactive experience." By extracting and reinterpreting Ordos cultural prototypes and integrating composite sensory design strategies (taste–vision–touch), the study enhances cultural identity recognition. Additionally, service design thinking is applied to construct an experiential loop of "pasture–workshop–table," forming a sustainable brand value-added pathway. The proposed "Five-Step Cultural Symbol Translation Method" and "Brand Experience Pyramid Model" provide replicable design paradigms for similar regional cultural brands, offering methodological innovations with practical value for design-driven rural revitalization.

Local extinction has emerged as a significant challenge threatening the economic sustainability of many cities, including Daejeon. This study analyzes Daejeon's labor force retention and human resource development strategies to address this crisis. As a research and development hub, Daejeon possesses strong advanced technology industrial foundations. However, continuous youth outflow to the Seoul metropolitan area has exacerbated labor market imbalances and raised concerns about long-term industrial sustainability. The study examines Daejeon's demographic changes and labor market conditions through existing literature, public statistical data, and human resource development case studies. By applying Push-Pull Theory and labor market mismatch frameworks, the analysis reinterprets key factors driving labor migration. Findings reveal that despite Daejeon's superior scientific and R&D infrastructure, persistent youth outmigration continues due to insufficient high-wage skilled jobs, inadequate business-university collaboration, and limited living infrastructure. Notably, Daejeon's university graduates struggle to find employment aligned with their academic backgrounds, while poor job-person fit within local companies worsens labor market mismatches. To address these challenges, the study presents multidimensional policy recommendations focused on improving job quality, diversifying industries, offering workforce retention incentives, and enhancing regional infrastructure. Key proposals include wage competitiveness strategies, industry-aligned customized workforce training, strengthened academia-industry partnerships, and improved urban settlement conditions to enhance Daejeon's attractiveness for young professionals. Implementation of these strategies can help Daejeon retain its workforce, promote sustainable economic growth, and prevent further regional decline. This research contributes to broader discussions on regional revitalization and sustainable employment models by providing strategic directions for local workforce retention and long-term human resource development.

This study aims to examine the feasibility and application of the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) system as a method of financing urban development in South Korea. Existing urban development projects have often faced challenges due to the limitations of public finances and the difficulty of attracting private capital. In particular, in local cities, a lack of financial resources frequently delays development projects. To address these issues, this study analyzes the case of TIF implementation in Chicago, USA, highlighting both its contributions to urban development and regional revitalization as well as its negative aspects, such as budget mismanagement and gentrification. The analysis reveals that for the successful implementation of the TIF system, it is essential to establish thorough pre-planning, ensure transparent management and operations, encourage active participation from local residents, and adopt policy efforts to mitigate tax resistance. This study, in particular, takes into account the structural characteristics of South Korea’s tax system and proposes a hybrid Korean TIF model that diverges from the conventional property tax (holding tax)-centered TIF model. Instead, it incorporates various tax categories, including acquisition tax (local tax), value-added tax (VAT), withholding tax, and capital gains tax (national tax). By leveraging this multi-layered tax approach, short-term financial resources can be more easily secured, fiscal risks caused by economic fluctuations can be dispersed, and long-term stability can be ensured. Additionally, to alleviate tax resistance, the study suggests strategies such as clear communication regarding tax burdens, enhanced public communication, tax incentives, transparent fund management, and increased community participation. Moreover, to ensure stable revenue repayment, it proposes the establishment of a hybrid TIF model combining various tax categories, the creation of an independent and transparent fund management system, and the clarification of tax revenue distribution between national and local taxes. In conclusion, this study, based on insights from the Chicago TIF case, designs a Korean TIF model that incorporates both national and local taxes in a way that suits Korea’s circumstances. It presents institutional improvements and policy alternatives, offering an effective financing model for urban development in South Korea.

The Role and Sustainability of Food Enterprises in Regional Revitalization through Local Resource Utilization

A Study on Recent Regional Revitalization Activities in the Yunotsu Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings

This comparative study examines how geographic isolation and out-migrant motivations shape support systems in two aging, depopulated rural areas of Japan: Shimogo Town and Nanmoku Village. Challenging the prevailing policies’ focus on internal migration as the primary solution for regional revitalization, we highlight the “relationship population”—a specific group of out-migrated family members who maintain ties to their hometowns—and their diverse contributions to rural sustainability. We employed a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative analyses of aging-oriented household survey questionnaires (using multiple correspondence analysis, multinomial logistic regression, k-means, and two-step cluster analysis) and qualitative analyses of interviews with local government officials and residents (case studies in Nanmoku). Our analysis reveals contrasting support patterns: Shimogo exhibits a localized system driven by resident needs, while Nanmoku employs a strategic approach balancing practical support and community engagement. These findings underscore the limitations of one-size-fits-all migration policies and indicate the need for strategies tailored to the local characteristics of each community. By recognizing the diverse motivations behind hometown visits and the contributions to both residents and communities from the “relationship population”, this research advocates shifting the focus from promoting migration to the interplay of family ties, local support systems, and the agency of residents and out-migrated families. This perspective offers actionable insights for policymakers, local leaders, and researchers working on rural revitalization.