What can DR planners do for post-disaster recovery?
- a case study of community-based recovery in Kesennuma, Japan Taro ICHIKO, Tokyo Metropolitan University, E-Mail: ichiko-taro@tmu.ac.jp
Regarding post-disaster process like rescue, evacuation, emergency shelter, and so on, there is a phase of
the recovery planning that has been already argued. For example, SHIOZAKI(2005) who dedicated in
Hanshin Awaji proposed “quick & steady” strategy for long-term recovery, and Chao-ching YU(2003) who
dedicated in 921 Taiwan earthquake proposed life-settlement during pre- and post- settlement.
In this presentation, a new settlement project in Kesennuma City after the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean
Earthquake was discussed. In Kesennuma, the Tunami, which measured over 15 meters height on the grand,
caused massive damage with 1,354 deaths and over 16,000 houses heavily damaged. After the disaster,
Kesennnuma City announced measurements of public support for housing restore. There are 3 options in one.
Public housing, a grant-in-aid for individual transferring restore and a group relocation project for new safety
high ground.
Our team having 3 professionals (social worker, architect and community planner) has been dedicating in
a new settlement project that relocated from devastated area and assisting their house rebuilding. Adding to
that, an action research was succeeded.
As a case study, 4 contents would be expressed.
Firstly, actual planning process of new safety settlement was shown. The group relocation project which
based on relating an act and supported by public sector was a main countermeasure. Kesennuma City
announced process to proceed with this project in January, 2012.Then, our commitments started on February
2012. Since then, community workshops have been done over 18 times by the following order; (1) searching
new safety location, (2) discussing to gather joining members, (3) designing site plan which contains roads,
building site and open space, (4) drawing each housing plan.
Secondly, methods and techniques used on this planning activity were explained and reviewed.
(1) Design dialog for a new settlement by using land and architecture models.
(2) Awareness of the sense for relocation place including the next tunami hazard by field survey.
(3) Making the sense for a new living in house by the photo collage workshop.
(4) Change for the smart house being consistent with a low cost one by a tangible dialog using building raw
materials
Thirdly, lessons for community-based recovery planning were summarized.
(1) Respecting self-judgment and activeness of affected persons. Professionals have contributed as a window
of opportunity and a catalyst, but not decide recovery plan.
(2) Usefulness of making support teams by various professionals.
(3) Proper use of both roles of volunteers and professionals.
Fourthly, the role of DR(disaster reduction) planners on the recovery planning were discussed.
(1) Accompany with deeply listening of casualties.
(2) Analyzing peoples’ activities relating to mitigation facilities.
(3) Proposing a smart run-away plan designed of compound ways being consisted with not only seashore
facilities and escape shelters but also cool information system and residents’ preparation for an
evacuation.