Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Before the GEJE, all 47 prefectures in Japan had pre-existing agreements with
the Japanese Association of Prefabricated Builders (
prekyo)
to construct temporary
housing following a natural disaster. Even with these agreements, it was diffi cult
for the member companies to quickly provide all the temporary housing needed
following the GEJE. In addition, among prefabrication companies, some were
more familiar with residential construction than others, and levels of quality varied
widely between different temporary housing in different areas.
Based on the lessons from the Kobe and Chuetsu earthquakes, attempts have
been made to keep communities together and relocate them collectively to nearby
temporary housing when possible. However, even when such attempts were made,
they were not always successful due to time pressures and land constraints. As in
Kobe, entry into temporary housing was often decided by lottery. Residents also
made choices between time and selection. People who wanted to move into temporary
housing more urgently might settle for less desirable locations.
3.3.2.3
Temporary Housing Innovations After the GEJE
Providing the temporary housing needed after the GEJE was a massive project
carried out on a town by town basis throughout the disaster area. The large scale and
complexity resulted in a wide variety of temporary housing outcomes. However,
there were several improvements that emerged, including two specifi c programs
used on a large scale for the fi rst time after this disaster: the use of privately owned
rental units known as “designated” temporary housing, and the use of wooden
temporary housing. In addition, there were also improvements in the form of well-
designed community spaces, and an example of multi-story temporary housing.
'Designated' temporary housing using private rental housing units.
In the
“designated” temporary housing system, the government pays rent for disaster sur-
vivors to live in privately owned rental apartments. Following the GEJE, this system
was used on a large scale for the fi rst time, and there are more people living in 'des-
ignated' temporary housing than newly built temporary housing (Reconstruction
Agency
2014b
). The introduction of the new system represents an innovation in the
housing provision process. It may also be an improvement for the lives of displaced
residents, as it uses existing housing stock, and can be more comfortable and more
convenient for residents if they can fi nd preferable locations. However, there are
some challenges: the system makes keeping track of disaster survivors and insuring
their access to government support and recovery information more diffi cult. It may
also speed up depopulation of rural areas and movement of young people to cities
as the system requires having some available vacant housing stock, which often is
concentrated in urban areas. Since this is the fi rst time it has been used on such a
large scale, the fi nal outcome and long term impact is not yet clear. However, in
areas with available vacant housing, designated temporary housing appears to be an
effi cient use of resources, provides access to higher permanent quality housing, and
allows residents to be in control of the choices that affect their housing recovery.
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