FEATURE: Engineers smashing disciplinary silos as natural disasters worsen
As the magnitude and complexity of natural disasters become more magnified, Japanese civil engineers are stressing the importance of preparing for future calamities from the perspective of multihazard risk.
Kazuo Konagai, former president of the nonprofit Engineers Without Borders Japan, told Kyodo News in a recent interview that he is growing more and more concerned intense climate change-fueled natural disasters are increasing the risk of simultaneous hazardous events.
Kazuo Konagai (2nd from R), former president of Engineers Without Borders Japan, attends a technical seminar on earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, on Oct. 24, 2007. (Photo courtesy of Kazuo Konagai) (Kyodo)