Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University has Opened its Endowed Research Sector.
PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD. (Address: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Representative Director, President Executive Officer: Osamu OMOTO) has opened an Endowed Research Sector at the Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University.
We are undertaking a variety of initiatives to realize a disaster-resilient society, which aims to eliminate human suffering caused by natural disasters and prevent the suspension of social functions. Kyoto University and our company have been collaborating in the field of disaster prevention for many years, including overseeing "Doshaburu," a landslide risk information service provided by our company. With the establishment of this Endowed Research Sector, we will further strengthen industry-academia collaboration, accelerate the development of a variety of disaster prevention services and cutting-edge technologies, and support the creation of disaster-resistant cities.
■ Overview
[Name of Endowed Research Sector]
River Basin Sediment Management (RiSM)
Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Climate Change Adaptation Research Center
[Instructor]
Hiroshi TAKEBAYASHI, Special Professor
Aiming to eliminate damage caused by landslides, we are researching the development of landslide prediction techniques, such as improving the sophistication of debris flow numerical simulation technology, as well as effective evacuation methods for landslides. We are also investigating the shape of rivers, such as why rivers meander, and are researching methods for improving rivers to make them less prone to flooding and easier for plants and animals to grow and live in.
Masato KUWABARA, Senior Technical Director, Land Infrastructure Div., PACIFIC CONSULTANTS
Since joining the company in April 1995, he has been engaged in work and research related to flood control and river channel planning, sediment management, and crisis management at Osaka Headquarters, Chubu branch office, and Tokyo Headquarters, while also deploying the same technologies in private projects, contributing to the realization of safe, secure, and sustainable local communities and the revitalization of local economies.
[Research contents, etc.]
As a research sector funded by donations from private companies involved in the practical fields of river and watershed management, erosion control planning, and disaster prevention and crisis management, we aim to improve multiphase flow analysis models targeting various material transport phenomena, taking climate change into consideration, and develop practical watershed sediment management technologies, including efficient and effective landslide prevention technologies that can be applied to actual watersheds.
[Research topics, etc.]
Dynamic management of rivers using instability of channel and riverbed morphology and variable river structures.
Development of multiphase flow analysis techniques for watershed topography management considering climate change and their practical implementation.
Development of prediction technology for disasters caused by material transport in river basins taking into account climate change and its practical implementation.
Prevention of secondary disasters at landslide sites, search and rescue techniques, and evacuation methods.
Improving the reliability of landslide-related warning information.
Other practical issues related to the above research objectives.