Behind-the-Scenes in Mitigation of Landslides and Other Geohazards in Low Income Countries—in Memory of Hiroshi Fukuoka

Abstract

Landslide science and geohazard mitigation in low income countries requires strong planning, but mainly a fundamental day by day management of what is behind-the-scenes. This is relevant since unexpected problems can appear anytime, and in the interim, most of the mitigation measures require a strong interconnection with local communities. This is a problem since it requires flexibility and capacity of adaptation to unpredictable matters. On the other hand, it is a great opportunity since it shifts our way of working from the traditional approach we study in University, to something that is more social, historical and anthropologically oriented. In this view, to work in low income countries does not require solving only the problem, but also helps the local community to understand how to do it. This means transferring scientific knowledge into the investigation phase (IP), as well as deeply collaborating in the mitigation phase (MP). More specifically, recovering and empowering local knowledge very often based on coherence between environment/heritage conservation, local materials, local climate, recovering and empowering traditional restoration techniques based on long term experience, as well as adapting to local socio-economy. Only with this approach is it possible to work in many countries of the world, they may be poor in science, but very rich in history and dignity. That’s why humbleness and competence should guide any interventions. This article is dedicated to Hiroshi Fukuoka. He had clear concepts in mind in relation to this topic. Fukuoka operated to not only to make his high level of knowledge available, but he also offered cooperation and friendship, joining deep knowledge with immense social acceptance of his studies.