神戸大学大学院人間発達環境学研究科
都市環境システム研究室
Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University
Urban Environmental System Laboratory (KUEST)
Researches
Profile
Name Tomohiro TABATA
Title Associate Professor
E-Mail tabata"otto"people.kobe-u.ac.jp
*Replace "otto" to @.
Degree Ph.D. (Nagoya University, Japan)
Research Field Urban environmental system engineering, life cycle assessment, renewable energy
Affiliation Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University
Research Mission: Designing Sustainable Cities through Resource Circulation
Urban areas support our daily lives and economic activities, but they also consume substantial amounts of resources and energy, resulting in various environmental challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, waste generation, and energy insecurity. In addition, population decline, aging societies, and natural disasters are creating new challenges for sustainable urban development.
The Kobe University Urban Environmental System Laboratory (KUEST) views cities as systems in which materials, energy, and human activities continuously interact. Our mission is to develop scientific knowledge and practical solutions that contribute to sustainable, resilient, and circular societies.
We integrate perspectives from environmental engineering, industrial ecology, resource management, and social sciences to evaluate urban systems and support evidence-based decision making. Through collaboration with governments, industries, and local communities, we aim to translate research findings into real-world environmental solutions.
Research Projects
1. Circular Economy and Resource Recycling
We investigate how recycling systems can be designed to support a circular economy and improve resource efficiency. Our research focuses on:
Municipal and community-based recycling systems
Plastic waste collection and recycling
Consumer acceptance of recycled materials and products
Resource circulation strategies for sustainable communities
By understanding both technical performance and human behavior, we seek to enhance recycling participation and resource recovery.
2. Renewable Energy and Decarbonization
The transition toward carbon-neutral societies requires the effective use of renewable energy resources. Our research explores:
Local energy production and consumption systems
Regional decarbonization strategies
Renewable energy deployment and environmental assessment
Energy policies and community sustainability
We evaluate how renewable energy systems can contribute simultaneously to climate mitigation and regional development.
3. Consumer Behavior and Sustainable Lifestyles
Environmental technologies and policies can succeed only when they are accepted and adopted by people. Therefore, we examine:
Recycling behavior and environmental actions
Public acceptance of environmentally friendly products
Ethical consumption and sustainable lifestyles
Behavioral approaches for carbon reduction and resource conservation
Our goal is to identify effective pathways for encouraging sustainable consumption and lifestyle transitions.
4. Disaster Waste Management and Urban Resilience
Natural disasters generate large amounts of waste and place significant burdens on communities. Our research addresses:
Disaster waste generation mechanisms
Waste management planning for emergency situations
Disaster risk reduction and resilience building
Waste management challenges in aging societies
We aim to develop methodologies that strengthen community resilience before, during, and after disasters.
Research Methodology
Integrating Engineering and Social Science Approaches
A distinctive feature of our laboratory is the integration of quantitative engineering methods with social science approaches. We believe that sustainable urban systems can only be achieved by considering both technological feasibility and human behavior.
Engineering-Based Methods
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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
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Carbon Footprint Analysis
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Material Flow Analysis (MFA)
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Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
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Energy and Environmental System Modeling
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Scenario Analysis and Simulation
Social Science-Based Methods
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Questionnaire Surveys
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Consumer Preference Analysis
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Behavioral Analysis
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Statistical Modeling
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Stakeholder and Policy Evaluation
From Analysis to Social Implementation
Our research framework connects:
Assessment → Modeling → Policy Design → Social Implementation
This approach enables us to generate practical and scientifically grounded solutions for circular economy, renewable energy deployment, sustainable consumption, and resilient urban development.
Message
The Urban Environmental System Laboratory seeks to design sustainable cities by integrating resource circulation, energy systems, environmental assessment, and human behavior. Through interdisciplinary research, we strive to create practical solutions for a circular, low-carbon, and resilient society.