Abstract
Abstract. This study clarifies different issues associated with temporary emergency shelters called Agariyas during floods, in the Kumano, area along the Kumano River in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The locations and features of Agariyas were identified through fieldwork. To collect and confirm the location and past existences of Agariyas, interviews were conducted with the elderly. Also, a measurement survey was used to collect data on the types, location, floor plan, and material use of Agariyas. The study confirmed that many Agariyas were built after the 1889 flood, the water level of which influenced their locations. However, currently, very few remain. They were mainly minimally furnished with one to two rooms, a storage space, and a small kitchen for a temporary evacuation period. They were built on terraces or mounded ground. Their architectural features differ depending on the owner, but they were most commonly built using wood, and the roof was covered with cedar bark and rounded stones. Younger generations do not know about Agariyas. To increase the local knowledge and awareness of flood disaster culture, it is important to re-evaluate the tangible and intangible heritage in local communities, which includes the effort and wisdom of ancestors related to local disasters. The Kumano-Hongu Shrine and pilgrimage route attract visitors today. However, addressing the experiences and knowledge of local disaster may add value to the World Heritage site.
Highlights
1.1 Background of the studyIn recent years, the flooding of rivers from record torrential rain and the discharge of dams have caused enormous damage to people and settlements physically, economically, and socially
People’s lives and settlements have always been affected by natural disasters, and they have coped by changing their settlement, constructing structures, and developing local knowledge and wisdom for disaster management culture
According to the “list of traditional river technology database” by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), there are several flood prevention/preparedness structures in 26 areas that are registered near rivers across the country
Summary
The flooding of rivers from record torrential rain and the discharge of dams have caused enormous damage to people and settlements physically, economically, and socially. In flood-prone areas, people have been plagued yearly by flood damage, and large floods happened once every several years Public projects, such as raising riverbeds, revetment maintenance, dam construction, and river dredging projects have occurred to improve living conditions and safety. These developments in the regular flood-prone area have brought great changes in housing styles and people’s awareness. By considering such a background, this research records and elucidates how flood prevention/preparedness architecture was built in flood-prone areas, as well as how the settlement locations, housing styles, and people’s disaster awareness and recognition changed. Developing a program to inherit the disaster culture is needed because it is important to increase the awareness and knowledge of local natural disasters among local people
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