Japan: The Built Environment, Planning, and the Exploration of Social Justice and Equity
Students will explore contemporary urban life in Hiroshima and Kyoto—two cities rich in history, culture, and influence on the built environment. Hiroshima, shaped by its experience with the atomic bomb in WWII, is a global symbol of peace and justice, reflected in landmarks like the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Kyoto, Japan’s former capital, offers centuries of tradition through its temples, shrines, distinctive architecture and historic landscapes. Both cities are home to UNESCO World Heritage sites and showcase Japan’s cultural depth and innovation.
This program offers a rare opportunity for students interested in architecture, planning and the social issues rooted in each city’s history and socio-economic context. Through lectures, field trips and exchanges with local students, city officials and practitioners, participants will gain firsthand insight into architecture, preservation, development and sustainable practices—while experiencing historic sites and cultural achievements spanning 4,000 years.
Location: Hiroshima and Kyoto, Japan
Accommodations: Stay in hostels and a hotel in Japan.
Eligibility: Open to all MAPP students in good academic and judicial standing. Also open for students from non-MAPP programs. Check the UMD Education Abroad page for specific requirements.
Trip Length: 5 weeks
Term: Summer
Contact: Professor Hiro Iseki, hiseki@umd.edu.
Proposal for a Rooftop Garden at Motomachi Apartment
For the Japan Study Abroad Final Project Presentation, this student group proposes the preservation of the awning from the Ohashi store, prior to demolition, and repurposing it.
Team members: Seita Sugimoto, Akari Maegaki, Shohei Abe, Haruki Seno
Nzingha Imani Campball, Anthony Eduardo-Euegne Gourdain and Alexis Orihuela Mencia.
Team members from the Crane Team
Sebastien Veilleux, Noelia Gomez Gonzalez, Alex Lindgren, Nakita Gray, Takumi Morimoto, Ryusuke Yorozuya, Shuntaro Fujimura, and Kazuma Maehara.