Phase-Free?

Has phase-free already been talked to death? From philosophy to implementation in architecture and cities

In recent years, there has been an increase in disaster prevention symposiums and lectures that promote "phase-free".

Phase-free is a concept that aims to eliminate the boundary between normal times and disaster times as much as possible, making products, facilities, services, and information used in daily life useful during disasters as well.

This term has already spread to administration, education, business, tourism, public spaces, and product development.

Therefore, we are no longer at a stage where simply using the word "phase-free" makes a project new.

However, the philosophy being talked to death and the implementation being completed are two different things.

Philosophy-introduction types are increasing

When introducing phase-free, the following explanations are common:

Use everyday items during disasters as well.

Do not rely solely on disaster-specific goods.

By using them regularly, you combine maintenance and training.

These explanations are common.

While such introductions to the philosophy are important, as a symposium, it is necessary to combine them with more specific targets.

Architecture and public facilities

Schools, government buildings, libraries, parks, community centers, commercial facilities, and hotels are used during normal times, while serving as hubs for evacuation, lodging, supply distribution, and information provision during disasters.

However, simply placing equipment there does not make it functional.

Who will maintain it?

Who knows how to operate it?

Do normal usage and disaster usage conflict with each other?

Can it be used even if power, water, and communication are lost?

Such operational considerations are necessary.

Digital information

It is conceivable to use everyday regional apps, facility reservations, digital signage, location information, and facility ledgers for information dissemination, tracking evacuees, and searching for available facilities during a disaster.

Systems dedicated to disasters are rarely used, so registered information and operating methods tend to become outdated.

Using information that is utilized and updated in daily operations during a disaster has the advantage of being easier to keep fresh.

Relationship with corporate BCP

When assuming a Tokyo inland earthquake, there are issues that cannot be addressed by corporate BCP alone.

Can the building continue to be used?

Can power, water, communication, and toilets be secured?

Can employees move around?

Are the surrounding area and logistics functioning?

Collaboration with buildings, regions, transportation, public facilities, and surrounding companies is necessary, not just a company's individual plan.

Phase-free can be positioned as a concept that supports BCP from the daily side.

SHM can become a phase-free technology

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is a technology that acquires information on vibration and deformation from sensors installed in a building to grasp the state of the building.

Conventionally, damage assessment and decisions on continued use after an earthquake have been emphasized.

However, SHM can also be used in normal times for:

Monitoring changes over time.

Grasping signs of deterioration.

Confirmation of equipment vibration.

Verification of reinforcement and renovation effects.

Accumulation of maintenance records.

can be used for.

Using the same sensors and data for routine maintenance and safety confirmation during disasters is an easy-to-understand example of phase-free in the field of architecture.

Symposium structure

If the theme is a Tokyo inland earthquake,

Part 1
Damage estimation for a Tokyo inland earthquake and corporate BCP

Part 2
Thinking about architecture and cities from a phase-free perspective

is a natural structure.

Part 1 will cover damage estimation, people unable to return home, corporate activities, and continued use of buildings.

Part 2 will cover public facilities, SHM, BIM/GIS, digital information, parks, and community services.

Finally,

From individual corporate BCP to regional cooperation.

From disaster-specific products to daily use.

From routine architectural and urban information to disaster-time use.

will be discussed along these axes.

As for the title,

"Preparing for a Tokyo Inland Earthquake: Companies, Architecture, and Cities—From BCP to Phase-Free"

would be easy to understand.

Phase-free is a concept that brings disaster preparedness into everyday life.

However, if the same person is responsible for everything during both daily life and disasters, there will be no boundaries in their work either.

Phase-free is not a concept that eliminates the holidays of those in charge.

Implementation requires a system that includes costs, task allocation, maintenance, and human resources.