Unit 4 Geographic Information Systems for Islamic Area Studies

Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Unit Leader: OKABE Atsuyuki

Islamic Area Studies Unit 4 Research Office

Department of Urban Engineering, The University of Tokyo

7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan

Tel: +81-3-5841-6225 Fax: +81-3-5841-8521

E-mail: tkuroiwa@ua.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Unit 4 Research Themes and Activities

1. Develop and apply spatial analysis using GIS to examine the formation of administrative systems in the Ponneri region of India.

2. Digitize and analyze data on cities and towns in the Ferghana region of Central Asia.

3. Study houses and urban structure in Islamic countries, and analyze variations in spatial composition arising from cultural differences.

4. Apply analytical techniques using three dimensional information to study street networks, spatial arrangements, and cultural significance.

Unit 4 International Exchange

Scholars to be sent abroad

- MIZUSHIMA Tsukasa will collect historical sources on the Ponneri region. August 2001. U.K.

Scholars invited from abroad

- Ayse Sema KUBAT will participate in the ﾒLocal Scale Spatial Analysisﾓ workshops as well as in the IAS international symposium ﾒToward New Horizons.ﾓ October 2001.

Unit 4 From the Unit Leader

The goal of Unit 4 has been to apply GIS to Islamic Studies. At the outset of the project, few researchers in the field knew much about this unique technology. But fortunately, I was able to meet a number of people interested in integrating methods of human sciences and natural sciences. This is easier said than done, for scholars are required to understand fields outside their own. Despite this, the past four years have been sufficient to make great headway in this direction. Starting last year, Unit 4 has been investigating the Ferghana region in Central Asia, in a combined effort with Unit 1. This year, Unit 4 will begin collaborative research in Egypt and the Yunnan Province. The four years have been surprisingly short, and it is a pity that what has finally gained momentum must come so soon to a conclusion. Such are our sentiments as we enter our final year. (OKABE Atsuyuki)