Paper short abstract:

This presentation shows land-use changes resulting from the introduction of an oil-dependent livelihood at In Belbel Oasis, Algeria, based on cooperative work with local people in accordance with the will of the late Professor Iwao Kobori, the Japanese human geographer.

Paper long abstract:

Iwao Kobori (1924-2010) was the first president of the Japanese Association for Arid Land Studies. He conducted much research in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, focusing on water issues in arid and semi-arid lands and emphasising Qanat systems and oases. The chief purpose of his life's work was not only to study the origin, diffusion, and future of Qanat systems worldwide but also to disseminate and preserve knowledge of this precious traditional hydro-technology for the general public and future generations (Nawata 2011).

After his death, these collections were collated at the University Museum, The University of Tokyo, in 2012. The collections are not limited to geographic samples, such as rocks and sediments; they also include samples of archaeological and ethnographic materials, along with maps and photographs (Nishiaki & Mikuni 2017). In June 2010, during his last visit to his beloved Saharan village, In Belbel, Algeria, Professor Kobori said, "we should not be satisfied with doing research for our own interest. We must make use of the results to benefit the local people by working together. I would like to thank all of the people who made this possible" (Nawata 2011).

This presentation shows land-use changes resulting from the introduction of an oil-dependent livelihood at In Belbel Oasis using scientific results and working with local people in accordance with the will of late Professor Iwao Kobori.