Role and Functions of Local Communities in Earthquake Rescue, Shelter Administration and Reconstruction

Abstract  Major conditions of mitigation during earthquake disasters are quake-proof built-environment, administrative ability for crisis management and mutual aid functions of local communities. In this monograph focus is on local communities that played a role in helping victim residents in the Great Hanshin Earthquake. In Japan chonai-kais are organized in almost all areas as basic associations of local communities. We explored the functions of three levels of community: neighborhoods, chonai-kais and precincts. During the earthquake neighborhoods were active while precincts were recognized as contributing significantly to the process of rescue. In shelter administration teachers and resident volunteers played leading roles in many cases but some chonai-kais and precincts showed remarkable activities. Various conflicts occurred in the process of community reconstruction but many chonai-kais played an important role in coordinating opinions and interests of residents. We could confirm that the active role of each community during disaster period were based on their activities related to neighborhood welfare and community improvement.