On 28th November 2025, Mei Kimura (M1) , Department of Urban Engineering, received The 20th APRU Multi-Hazards 2025 Best Poster Runner Up.
The second person from the left is Kimura-san
The 20th APRU Multi-Hazards 2025 Best Poster Runner Up
This award was given in recognition of an outstanding poster presentation at the 20th APRU Multi-Hazards Symposium, held in Metro Manila (Bonifacio Global City).
About awarded research
Title: Residents' Engagement and Processes in Disaster-Resilient Urban Development Leading to Physical Environment Improvement: A Qualitative Data Analysis Using SCAT in Award-Winning Cases
Overview: Community-based disaster prevention (machizukuri) ideally combines both “hard” measures (e.g., infrastructure) and “soft” aspects (e.g., awareness and governance). However, community-led initiatives tend to focus on the latter.
This study investigated cases in which community participation successfully led to physical improvements, conducting interviews and applying the SCAT qualitative analysis method—rarely used in disaster research. The analysis revealed several common characteristics:
- Initiatives were carried out systematically to solve local issues.
- Small successes accumulated over time, reducing the burden on residents and fostering a sense of accomplishment and attachment to their community.
- Activities were flexible and tailored to local characteristics.
At the same time, this study gives us some insights that disaster-resilient
community planning in Japan is largely supported by a very limited group of participants. In most cases, it is led by elderly men, while the involvement of busy workers, foreign residents, and children remains a significant challenge.
Your impression & future plan
I am truly honored to receive this prestigious award.It was a valuable experience to reflect on social differences in an international setting.
I sincerely thank my professors for their generous support and will continue to pursue my research with dedication.