The Lighting Installation for Evacuation Guidance and the Outdoor Areas in Temporary Architecture Group District

Abstract

This research targeted a suburban area in Rikuzen-Takata of the Tohoku district in Japan where large numbers of temporary buildings have been built after the great earthquake 2011. The research aimed to install adequate light fixtures which guide people to higher ground and provide them with the safety and comfort in daily life. The lighting design was examined based on the knowledge of several field surveys and previous researches. Finally, a total of 179 lights, such as incandescent bulbs were attached. The questionnaire survey to residents was carried out before or after the lighting installation. As a result, it was confirmed that the recognition of entrances to evacuate or the evacuation directions which guide to higher ground had increased enough compared with the previous situation. It was also confirmed in the temporary shopping district or the construction office that surrounding visibility and safety had been improved by lighting. The lighting social experiment was conducted over September 2013 to about one month. Most light fixtures have been continuously maintained by residents even after the end of the experiment.