As a consequence of slow depopulation, uninhabited settlements are increasing in Japanese mountainous areas. However, we think that getting uninhabited is different from vanishing of settlement. We can use an uninhabited settlement for primary industries. We may keep an old history of the settlement and make a new one.

This workshop was carried out at the University of Tokyo on July 2, 2016. Our aim was to think a method for forming an uninhabited but active settlement. In addition, we prepared beforehand panels with pictures of some uninhabited settlements.

The workshop was divided into three stages. The first stage was introduction on a depopulated area, uninhabited settlements, using social ICT, the power of ancestors’ graves. In the lecture, Mr. Koyama, one of guest lecturers, shew that historical continuity of an uninhabited settlement can be kept mainly by the former residents. In the second stage, participants discussed how to form an uninhabited but active settlement. From the middle of the activity, they were divided into two groups, and then each group independently discussed it deeply. The third stage was to show the results of their discussions and thinking backward. In addition, main keywords in this stage were virtual reality and a community.

We evaluate their active discussions highly. However, this workshop gave us a point needing improvement. Although I hoped for comprehensive discussions including approaching the essence of settlement before this workshop, they focused only on technical aspect. We have to think an effective devise for the comprehensive discussions.