MIT Japan 3/11 Initiative: Strategies for Small Coastal Villages

During Autumn 2011, the Initiative will engage in the analysis and re-establishment of the micro-fishing industries that were the heart of Minami Sanriku’s economy and way of life.

The project involves an on-site survey of selected fishing villages in Minamisanriku-cho, utlilizing the Transect/Rapid Visual Site Analysis method. This method was introduced by the MIT group in July 2011 with highly successful results for the central area of Utatsu district. The field research members will focus on taking the Transect method further to identify specific disaster-resilient planning recommendations, working closely with the people of these communities.

Through this study and by publicizing its results, our goal is to enable funding
support and realistic reconstruction visions for a sustainable future particularly at these precious seacoast village scales.

On-site survey of selected fishing villages in Minamisanriku-cho utlilizing the Transect/Rapid Visual Site Analysis method. This method was introduced by the MIT group in July 2011 with highly successful results for the central area of Utatsu district.\tDuring this fall, the field research members will focus on taking the Transect method further to identify specific disaster-resilient planning recommendations, working closely with the people of these communities. Through this study and by publicizing its results, our goal is to enable funding support and realistic reconstruction visions for a sustainable future particularly at these precious seacoast village scales.