MKPI ITS and JSCE Discussion: Reverse Zoning to Enhance Disaster Resilience
Education
MKPI Education – On November 18, 2024, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) Surabaya, together with the East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and representatives from the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE), held a discussion themed “Transdisciplinary Approach (TDA) for Building Societal Resilience to Disasters.”
The event explored various innovative approaches to strengthening community resilience against disasters, one of which is the implementation of the reverse zoning concept that has been applied in Japan. During the discussion, representatives from the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) explained how this strategy could provide solutions for reducing flood impacts through adaptive and risk-based spatial planning.
In Japanese urban planning, the term “reverse zoning” is often used as a strategy to manage natural disaster risks, particularly floods, which were the main focus of this discussion. Reverse zoning refers to reallocating land use based on an area’s vulnerability level to disaster risks, aiming to relocate critical or high-risk activities from vulnerable zones to safer areas.
The main principle of reverse zoning is to reorganize land use to reduce disaster risks in a strategic and measured way. First, community activities in flood-prone areas, such as lowlands or riverbanks, are relocated to safer locations like higher ground or zones protected by flood control infrastructure. Vulnerable areas are then repurposed into conservation zones, green spaces, or water absorption areas. Meanwhile, safer areas are encouraged to serve as activity centers with higher density, including residential areas, public facilities, and economic hubs. Additionally, the implementation of reverse zoning incorporates evacuation routes, emergency shelters, and other mitigation systems to ensure the safety of people who remain in risk-prone zones.
However, implementing reverse zoning poses several challenges. Relocating residents from vulnerable areas is often difficult due to emotional ties or economic factors, such as access to jobs and facilities. Moreover, the costs required for relocating activities, building new infrastructure, and preparing safer zones are substantial. The government also needs to consider the economic balance in affected areas to ensure that zoning changes do not disrupt people’s livelihoods. Therefore, the success of this strategy heavily relies on community support, meticulous planning, and adequate budget allocation.
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