LCIA & Japan

Unprecedented Conference in Lakeview from Kobe Japan Earthquake Survivors

(Lakeview, March 22)

In a meeting and presentation to the LCIA from honored guests and experts from Japan, a "lessons in survivorship briefing" was held on behalf of Lakeview and presented to members of the LCIA Board, members of the Neighborhood Recovery Committee and guests.

The conference began with Prof. Shigeo Tatsuki, Ph.D., Dept. of Sociology, Doshisya Univ. providing an overview of the devastation suffered by the Mano District in Kobe Japan following the most serious earthquake to ever hit Japan. The crux of the meeting reiterated that self help is the basis of recovery along with mutual help from the city & federal government. Machi Dukuri Kyogikai or Neighborhood Creating Committee is how our Japan enablers view the rebuilding efforts of Lakeview Civic Improvement Association with the Bring New Orleans Back - District 5 Steering Committee. Primary goals to be addressed in the recovery process should be:

Physical - physical recovery of neighborhood; zoning; & the rare chance to upgrade.

Economic - business corridor rebuilding that must exist for growth.

Life - people, without whom the neighborhood has no meaning.

The presentation continued with a persuasive presentation by Prof. Haruo Hayashi, Ph.D., Research Center for Disaster Reduction Systems, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University.

The social network & sense of mission were emphasized, as was the importance of self governess & trust bridging with new acquaintances to facilitate the need to work thru depression & heal emotionally. Mano District residents interviewed post occurrence advised that after 10 years they had become whole & no longer felt as though they were victims.

Priorities of issues to address in the recovery process should be:

1. Housing

2. Social Network

3. Sense of Community

4. Psychological / Physical Stress

5. Disaster Mitigation / Preparedness

6. Income / Jobs

7. Government Assistance Programs

A realistic recovery agenda should include the return of services / utilities & some sales / business by 9 months post event.

Realistically, the community composition will shift drastically. LCIA-BNOB District 5's Groups C&D can provide a good interface for block grants. A BID Program or Business Improvement Program should be put in place.

Finally, a recommended new levee structure of 25-30 feet of gradual elevation, using a concrete base, would be more efficient that an I structure, & could be easily constructed with a buyout of 1 running block of property along the existing 17th Street Canal breach area. This design could also accommodate raised residential structures, possibly condominiums.

We were also joined by additional Japan team members, including:

Norio Maki, Ph.D., Associate Professor & Ms. Keiko Tamura, Ph.D., Research Fellow, Research Center for Disaster Reduction Systems, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University (trip coordinator); and Ms. Kishie Shigekawa, Professor; Masanori Takashima, Ph.D., Associate Professor; & Satoshi Tanaka, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Fuji Tokoha University.

LCIA wishes to express it's deep appreciation for the honor of this conference & looks forward to incorporating all recommendations into its plan for the rebuilding of Lakeview & the entire District 5 community.