Disaster Restoration Model Collaborating with Urban Residents in Rural Areas

— A case study on “Yamakoshi-Kogomo-furusato-kai” Group established after the Mid Niigata prefecture Earthquake in 2004 —

Abstract

It is essential to accumulate the case studies on the social relations formed in the process of recovering from the earthquake disaster in rural areas from a standpoint of not only considering disaster-prevention measures but also rethinking shrinking rural areas' value. This report represents the disaster restoration and revitalization model collaborating with urban residents in rural areas based on the case study on “Yamakoshi-Kogomo-furusato-kai” Group established after the Mid Niigata prefecture Earthquake in 2004 by the participant observation and interviews in FY2016. It was revealed that development of the struck houses, old elementary school site, etc. led to the interaction between urban and rural areas, the collaboration among settlements, and the interaction between disaster-affected areas, which were achieved by flexibility of the organization management and attachment of the people concerned.