The paradox of community involvement: rebuilding Minamisanriku
Disaster Prevention and Management
ISSN: 0965-3562
Article publication date: 23 June 2020
Issue publication date: 30 November 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the barriers to community participation in post-disaster reconstruction in Minamisanriku, Japan.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper utilizes the extended case method. 31 in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with local residents as well as 15 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with professionals working on reconstruction efforts. Multiple site visits were made to conduct participant observation and ethnographic research. The data from these interviews and fieldwork were triangulated with archival research.
Findings
The results from this research show that at least six major barriers to community participation in post-disaster reconstruction were present in Minamisanriku. These barriers were: predetermined tsunami risk levels, a disaster reconstruction menu, existing patterns of government, construction of seawalls, an existing lack of participation and administrative mergers. These barriers were not a product of the disaster event itself, but rather of the pre-existing conditions in Minamisanriku, and Japan in general.
Originality/value
This study pinpoints the actually existing barriers to the worldwide call for participatory measures and community involvement in post-disaster reconstruction.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP19F19771
Citation
Cheek, W. (2020), "The paradox of community involvement: rebuilding Minamisanriku", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 29 No. 6, pp. 893-907. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-12-2019-0374
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited