Environmental water supply systems and the protection of wooden cultural heritages and historic urban areas from

Abstract

People have traditionally obtained water using simple management systems such as open channels, wells and rainwater tubs. These environmental water devices are losing their function in urban areas, replaced by the waterworks and sewerage systems of the modem industrial period. In the Great Hansbin-Awaji (or ''Kobe'') earthquake of 1995, serious damage to modem infrastructure restricted the water supply, making it difficult to extinguish fires triggered by the earthquake. These shortages were partly met by making use of the naturally occurring water to be found in neighborhoods. This paper argues that the potential natural water usage in urban areas must be improved to develop an ""environmental water supply system (EWSS) for disaster prevention"". Such uninterrupted water supply systems could be used to protect from fire cultural cities that have a substantial number of wooden structures and preserve the urban water environment. The concept of EWSS opens up possibilities for a sustainable water environment and the restoration of historical cities, maintaining beauty and safety for the benefit of future generations. EWSS project proposals have the potential also to increase safety measures in developing countries in line with regional capabilities and the need for low-cost development.