While studies on sustainability often delve into food-related subjects such as food security and culinary heritage, social sustainability has emerged as a crucial aspect across various research fields. This facet, alongside environmental and economic sustainability, forms one of the three pillars of sustainability. Social sustainability encompasses concerns about social justice, resource distribution, recognition, and political participation of marginalized groups at the local community level.
In Japan, studies on social sustainability have typically focused on how communities preserve their culinary heritage amid globalization and modernization, emphasizing the question of how foodways are maintained. However, a recent study from Sophia University in Japan took a different approach. Instead of asking how communities preserve their food traditions, the researchers examined how commercial foodways, serving as hubs for social interaction and integration, contribute to sustaining their communities.
Conducting an ethnographic investigation in Nishi–Ogikubo (or “Nishiogi”), a culinary neighborhood in Tokyo with a high density of small eateries, the researchers explored how independent restaurants in this bustling area support community life, particularly when faced with challenges like redevelopment and corporatization that threaten aspects of city life.
Social sustainability
The researchers found a number of ways in which these establishments contribute to social sustainability. First off, these places are not just about food – they’re a big deal for bosses, workers, and customers. They’re like a job hub for Japanese families and folks from all over the world. What’s cool is that these local joints are like a starting point for regular people, including those who might be struggling, to start their own businesses.
Second, these local restaurants aren’t just about eating; they’re also where people come together, make friends, and build up a social network. This helps make the community tighter, which is super important for keeping things stable. For instance, when tough times like the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the connections people made at these places turned out to be a real safety net.
Third, the study showed that these eateries can become important spots for getting people involved in local issues. This isn’t just about official groups; it’s also about regular folks getting together and speaking up about things that matter in the neighborhood. And because these eateries are key for creating social connections, customers become a big part of these movements. People from all walks of life, like women, young folks, and newcomers, get to have a say in the decisions.
In short, what this all means is that those little local restaurants, especially the ones run by locals, do a lot to keep the community close and strong. It’s super important to make sure they don’t get lost in the shuffle of big city changes.
“It is important for Tokyo urban planners and citizen groups to understand how neighborhood eateries serve as social infrastructure, particularly the role of independent restaurants in supporting the community economically, socially, and politically. This is because with rapid urban redevelopment, aging, and the rise of corporate restaurant chains, Tokyo is at risk of losing this social infrastructure,” the researchers conclude.
