Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2014. When JSCE was established in 1914, Midosuji Boulevard and subway Midosuji Line beneath the Boulevard had already been completed in Osaka. These facilities even after more than 100 years, are fulfilling their mission and objectives. This is exactly the type of large-scale project that is suitable as a prime example for the long-term planning for centennial year.

A large number of social infrastructure projects have been developed to support the rapid development of society in the era of high-growth period, and it has further accelerated the development of society. Since then, Japan has moved into a maturity period from the growth period. Today we are entering a period with no clear direction for further social development. We have to visualize a future image of ideal Japanese society on our own.
 
With the main theme of “Centennial Jubilee of Civil Engineering Legacy and the Resolute Mission for Evolutionary Designs”, the national convention this year will be held in Osaka. Based on this theme, this special issue looks back at the history of social capital infrastructure development in Kansai up to now, and portrays the image of future society based on the on-going projects. It is our intention that this special issue would be of use when considering the next long-term planning for centennial year.  This special issue is composed of 3 parts: “Past”, “Present”, and “Future”.