Protecting Area of Traditional Wooden Construction from Fires Due to Earthquakes Using Local Water – Plan and Implementation of the Project on Environmental Water Supply System for Disaster Prevention –

Abstract

We hold that potential natural water use in urban areas must be improved to develop an environmental water supply system (EWSS) for disaster prevention. Such uninterrupted water supply systems could protect cities with large numbers of wooden structures from fire due to earthquake and preserve the urban water environment. Our research focused on two examples of water supply system projects -- a gravity-based water supply system in Shirakawa-go and an open irrigation channel system in Kanazawa City, We propose planning and management with the research results of two examples for model projects in Kiyomizu as an important historical district in Kyoto. The EWSS concept opens the way for a sustainable water environment and the restoration of cities while maintaining cultural beauty and safety for the benefit of future generations.