Reconstruction Plans and Planning Process After the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami - Post-Tsunami Hazard: Reconstruction and Restoration - page 26

Fig. 2.7 Relocation Plan of Akamae district, Miyako city. Material used for the explanation meeting
for local residents (Source: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan)

2.6 Conclusions

This article depicts several gaps existing between the ideal concept and the reality in
the reconstruction process after the Great East Japan Earthquake and the following
tsunami. Besides the misunderstanding or incomprehension of the spatial planning
by the local government, some of the gaps are caused by excessive timer-related
limitations in the planning process. This aspect is strongly linked to the qualitative
and quantitative lack of manpower shown by the local administration despite the help
of many supporting offi cers from all over Japan. It is important to accelerate the
reconstruction work, as most of the victims hope to put their lives back together as
soon as possible. In particular, industrial activities should start again soon so that
people can the earn money needed for their recovery. However, this article illustrates
that time limitations may also have a side effect and claims that different problems
may need different plans, some that are quick and others with a more elaborate and
careful processing.
Other problems originate because they are not dealt with steadfast commitment
before the disaster, i.e., during normal time. A disaster rapidly and drastically wors-
ens the problems existing before it. There is a necessity to theoretically and system-
atically develop new planning methods that suit the current trends such as population