One month after the Great East Japan Earthquake

Chiba University Japan wanted to address the issue of natural disasters in urban area for the Solar Decathlon Europe 2014. Our project started from the researches to damages after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 that hit Tohoku region. Our goal is to propose not only an energy efficient building for the sufferers but also a community space that rebirth and maintains their urban life.

 

Once natural disaster happened in urban area, people lose their house. They first move to the nearest evacuation shelter such as gymnasium escaping from the immediate danger. In few days some of them moves to their families' or friends' houses but most of them remains at the shelter in cramped space. Thus, there are problems of privacy and health. In about one month the government provides them a temporary dwelling. However, a "temporary" dwelling causes of problem of noise, condensation, and isolation from community. They must remove from a temporary dwelling after 2 years to permanent restoration dwellings. During such processes, they lose their community and urban life. 

 

On the other hand, natural disasters cause a risk of conventional power generation such as nuclear plant, concentrated massive energy.