Gap in Damage and Reconstruction as a Subject of Architecture-Society Studies(<Feature 1>How do we face the Great East Japan Earthquake as Architecture-Society Studies)

Abstract

Based on the theory of risk society proposed by U. Beck (a German sociologist), I discussed the gaps in the damage by great earthquakes and the reconstruction. Beck pointed out the distribution of risks to humans, such as pollution and natural disasters had been important in modern society. Risk is distributed to people equally to some extent, but it is also distributed to people unequally depending on social class. To clarify and correct the bias of the distribution of risks is one of the challenges of modern sociology. In the Southern Hyogo Prefecture Earthquake and the Great East Japan Earthquake, there had been gaps in the damage depending on social class and family structure. The conditions of houses had been related to the gaps. Also, in the reconstruction, there had been gaps in the situations depending on social class, family structure, savings and human network. The bias of risk allocation emerges in the disasters. However, it is lurking in everyday life. Architecture-Society Studies intend to reveal the social characteristics and social influences of architectures. To clarify and correct the bias of the distribution of risks concerning architectures is one of the challenges of Architecture-Society Studies.