About iaSU2016 JAPAN
The International Association of Silk Road Universities (iaSU) is pleased to announce that the 4th International Conference on Archi-Cultural Interactions through the Silk Road (iaSU2016 JAPAN) will be held on July 16-18, 2016, at the Kami-Koshien Campus of Mukogawa Women's University, Nishinomiya, Japan.
About iaSU
The iaSU was established in March 2011 by Bahcesehir University in Turkey and Mukogawa Women's University in Japan, located respectively west and east of the Silk Road. The iaSU's mission is to promote extensive studies on life, technology, and culture centered on the architecture of countries on the Silk Road to clarify commonality among them, and thus contribute to renewed mutual understanding and the peace and prosperity of the Silk Road region. The iaSU also aims to introduce (or transmit) its achievements worldwide and share common values. To this end, the iaSU will hold its 4th International Conference on Archi-Cultural Interactions through the Silk Road (iaSU2016 JAPAN) .
Globalization/Culture
A global tendency to pursue a rich life supported by mass production and mass consumption is conspicuous, resulting in the rapid spreading of a sort of homogenous lifestyle under the motto of economic rationality. Similar sights of skyscrapers are ubiquitous. In Japan, as well, in return for economic development, many historical and culturally significant buildings have been demolished with new high-rise buildings flourishing. On the other hand, intolerance toward foreign cultures seems to be getting more radical. We must acknowledge that "culture" is an important key to preserving modern society.
Strength/Utility/Beauty
An ancient Roman architect, Marcus Vitruvius Pollio explained that architecture must possess three qualities: strength, utility and beauty. Strength is structural strength that protects human life against disasters, and utility is convenience, but Beauty is required in order for a building to be deemed "architecture." These three qualities are simulated as three brick layers, with the lowest being strength, the middle utility, and the top beauty. While strength and utility correspond to science and technology, which seek truth or universal value, beauty is encompassed by "culture", along with the arts, history, play, regionality, and so forth. Each is individual and cannot be substituted by anything else.
What is Culture in the Age of Globalization?
In this conference, as with the 2nd conference, through presentations of interdisciplinary research and interchange, we explore "culture" intensively with various participants, including researchers, designers, and engineers in the areas of architecture, urban planning, landscape, art, design, archaeology, and more.
Location of Conference Venue
Mukogawa Women's University is located in Nishinomiya City, conveniently situated between Osaka and Kobe in the "Kansai" region, where the old capitals of Japan thrived. In the Kansai region, there are many culturally unique and historic cities, such as Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe, Himeji, Otsu, Hikone, and Wakayama, that are rich in national treasures.
Nara 1-Day Tour
On Monday, July 18, the final day of the conference, we plan an excursion to Nara, a city with a more than 1,300-year history and many world heritages, including temples and shrines. Nara has sometimes been referred to as the end point of the Silk Road. We invite you to enjoy this internationally renowned tourist and cultural city.
Welcome All
This conference provides a great opportunity to examine "culture" as a keyword in the world to come, as well as to experience Japan's exquisite culture. We welcome researchers, designers, and engineers, including students, from all over the world and look forward to having "Archi-Cultural Interactions" with you.