Globalization, world habitat and Japanese identity: From 20th century machine-to 21st century global environment-oriented civilization

Abstract

The author, Emeritus Professor at Waseda University, Tokyo, is currently Chairman of the Board of the Research Institute for Urban and Environmental Development, Japan (UED). Dr Tonuma is the author of a book entitled Japan in the 21st Century with emphasis on planning for residential surroundings, and of numerous articles, some of which have also been published in Ekistics. He is a former Vice-President of the World Society for Ekistics. The text that follows is a revised and edited version of a paper presented by the author at the WSE Symposion"Globalization and Local Identity, " Hikone, Japan, 19-24 September,2005. He has pursued the theme of this paper in research published in Japanese in the UED Report, January 2007, and is currently researching habitability zones and Ecumenopolis.