PARTIE 2 - Icomos
PARTIE 2 - Icomos
PARTIE 2 - Icomos
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Theme 2<br />
Session 2<br />
Examination of the Effect of Building Construction<br />
Policies on the Conservation of Vernacular Building<br />
Techniques<br />
indicate that the most important element for residential<br />
buildings is wind-resistant, structural durability,<br />
and flexibility. However, the nationwide<br />
standardization prohibited carpenters and residents<br />
in Amami to continue to use vernacular building techniques,<br />
and instead, forced them to apply techniques<br />
for earthquake-resistance, which demanded the use<br />
of connecters that are actually vulnerable to strong<br />
wind.<br />
Since the 1940s, the national government promoted<br />
planting coniferous trees such as cedar and cypress<br />
in order to use them as building materials all over Japan<br />
including Amami. However, these species are not<br />
suitable for the climate in Amami and did not grow<br />
well; consequently, they could not be utilized for building<br />
material. (Hisamitsu Toku, interview by author,<br />
Amami Oshima, Japan, August 2, 2010). Therefore,<br />
the private and commonly owned forest in villages<br />
became unused and abandoned (Hisamitsu Toku,<br />
interview by author, Amami Oshima, Japan, August 2,<br />
2010).<br />
Hewing handworks by carpenters became less in demand,<br />
especially since 2000 in Amami, as imported<br />
precut timbers became the dominate source (Hisamitsu<br />
Toku, interview by author, Amami Oshima, Japan,<br />
August 2, 2010). Consequently, the local lumber<br />
mills disappeared. Before WWII, carpenters were responsible<br />
for most of the construction work; however,<br />
except for erecting the timber frame, a majority, such<br />
as the concrete foundation, interior fittings, and electrical<br />
and mechanical fittings are handled by specialized<br />
contractors. This change has led to the decline<br />
of skilled carpenters.<br />
Table 1 shows the number of new residential building<br />
TABLE 1 The number of residential buildings constructed, housing loan by the GHLC and structure<br />
Sources: Kagoshima Ohshima Subprefectural Office (1975-2001); Fund and structure of newly<br />
constructed housing by municipalities provided by Public Works Department of Kagoshima Prefectural<br />
Government<br />
361<br />
LE PATRIMOINE, MOTEUR DE DÉVELOPPEMENT<br />
HERITAGE, DRIVER OF DEVELOPMENT
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