The Relevance of Symbolic Physical Environment to the Formation of Social Networks for Rural Regeneration

This study considers how local people relate their community identity to symbolic physical environment and how the geographical locations of these 'symbols' play a role in deciding the nature of social networks of the community groups organized for the purpose of regeneration. The subject of study is a mountainous rural village in Kochi prefecture, Japan, which has suffered depopulation and aging during the last few decades. Some inhabitants have volunteered to restore previously abandoned terrace rice fields in the centre of the whole area, as well as a mountain viewpoint at the top of it. While the latter has traditionally been the center of folk festivities, such as amateur horse racing and group hikes, apparently the local inhabitants came to realize the symbolic meaning of the rice fields to the community when it had lost its productiveness and started being abandoned. These two cases might present interesting contrast as to how local community groups form their social networks in relation to places. Within the first year of ongoing data gathering, we have conducted in-depth interviews with 60 inhabitants, focus group interviews with representatives of neighborhood organizations, participant observation in local activities and a photo-taking workshop involving 50 individuals. Combining qualitative narrative analysis and social network analysis, the study aims to address the following specific questions: How are the regeneration networks formed who are the core members and what motivates them?; Are the social networks for regeneration geographically constrained due to the location of the 'symbols'?; What is the relation between the inhabitants’ geographical position in the area and their positions in the local social network?; Is inhabitants geographical and social position related to their perception of the physical spaces? This paper reports on the research approach and some preliminary findings.