Visiting the Ritsumeikan University
Visiting the Osaka City Abeno Disaster Prevention Center
Visiting the Osaka City Abeno Disaster Prevention Center and The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
Meeting with Prof. Pei-liang Xu from the Disaster Prevention Institute of Kyoto University
Visiting the Osaka science Museum
From 4 to 10 January 2025, a group of 24 LSGI students, led by Prof. Wallace Lai, Prof. Qing Pei, Miss Stella Tse from Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) visited Osaka and Kyoto for a 7-day study tour supported by the university. The aim of this tour was to explore the elements of spatial data science and smart cities.
At the Osaka City Abeno Disaster Prevention Center, students engaged in practical exercises that illustrated the importance of disaster preparedness. They learned why cars should not be used during a tsunami, experienced how an Earthquake shakes the Earth in a simulator, and practiced how to 'crawl' properly amid heavy smoke. Prof. Pei-liang Xu from the Disaster Prevention Institute at Kyoto University provided valuable insights into Japan's earthquake warning system, which utilizes a sophisticated network of spatial data science and technologies, including GNSS, GIS, remote sensing, geodesy, and seismology. He emphasized the philosophical dimension of disaster research, urging students to critically question scientific claims with the challenge: "Don't trust what 'Science' or 'Nature' tells you. If you care, question it and prove it yourself."
The exploration of "Disaster" extended to its man-made dimensions through discussions led by Prof. Keiji Yano, Institute of Disaster Mitigation for Urban Cultural Heritage from Ritsumeikan University, who introduced his 20 years of effort on 'Virtual Kyoto'. It aims to preserve the rich Kyoto's cultural heritage from various disasters via technologies like GIS, cartography, aerial photogrammetry, laser scanning, and AI. This initiative highlights the power of a map, which is not just a large piece of paper, but a vivid story-telling vehicle recording our past and present leading us to the future. In a world where heritage is endangered, mitigation and preservation of heritage from disaster are a serious matter of humanity and should be made known to everyone. The students were stunned at how the techs they have been learning in LSGI are so closely related to humanities and heritage conservation, traditionally perceived as separate domains.
The tour also included a visit to the Kyoto Museum for World Peace led by Prof. Keiji Yano. It is a solemn place where facets of war should be presented in a multitude of ways aimed at avoiding it. Ms. Miki Taguwa, the curator of the museum, kindly guided the students through the various peace-making exhibits. With the assistance of Dr. Pei Qing's excellent Japanese translation, Prof. Wallace Lai was able to explain the discovery of WWII fortification and field positions in his 'Geo-project 1941' originated from the Battle of Hong Kong.
This study tour not only broadened our students' understanding of disaster mitigation but also illuminated the profound interconnectedness of science, technology, and the humanities in addressing the challenges faced by society.
