Notions of resilience and qualitative evaluation of tsunami resiliency using the theory of springs

Abstract

This study revisits the concept of resilience by critically reviewing the contents of previous literature. Furthermore, it explains a new methodology for measuring resilience based on the theory of springs and qualitatively appraises the resiliency of Minamisanriku town as a case study. Minamisanriku is a tiny coastal town located in the northeastern part of the Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The town was affected by an earthquake on March 11, 2011, with a magnitude of 9.0, followed by a tsunami. According to the authors’ previously proposed conceptual framework, resilience should be considered by dividing it into three components: onsite capacity, instantaneous survivability, and the recovery potentiality of an area. Each component of the framework depends on two or three factors that can be measured using different indicators and sub-indicators. Onsite capacity is the ability of a given place to withstand a tsunami before it arrives, and it has been considered indispensable for the prevention of a tsunami. Instantaneous survivability is the power to be alive at the point of a disaster climax. Returning speed to its normal daily routines once a catastrophe is over is called recovery potentiality. It is understood that strengthening onsite capacity by moving residences to higher ground, building seawalls and paved roads, relocation of fishing industry infrastructure, and land elevation in Minamisanriku town makes it a benchmark for resilient cities.