ArcDR3 Initiative Announced

The history of humanity reflects myriad examples of survival in the face of natural and man-made disasters, and over many years scientists, engineers and scholars of such events have accumulated much knowledge to help elucidate disaster-related phenomena, structures, and systems. However, there are limited scenarios in which experts find the opportunity to apply this knowledge at a large scale in the field of reconstruction or construction that anticipates future events. To bridge such gaps the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) at Tohoku University, Japan, xLAB at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and Miraikan, The National Museum of Science and Innovation, have established the ArcDR3 Initiative.

The ArcDR3 Initiative takes its inspiration from the Sendai Framework
seeking to propel it forward using a collaborative approach to
architectural education to demonstrate visionary design possibilities. The
goal of the initiative is to contribute cutting edge design thinking towards
the development of an international standard for risk reduction in the
urban environment. At the conclusion of this initiative, ideas formulated
by participating universities will be shared with the Japanese Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry with a view towards establishing the
content for a new disaster risk reduction certification for the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

ArcDR3 Initiative consists of research, symposia and exhibitions
linked to a design studio using existing programs by participating
universities.

As a platform, the joint initiative draws from an international network of professional and educational partners including those from participating organizations of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), in a region with constant seismic activity exposing its inhabitants to severe risks and related dangers.

Research and Design projects, coming out of the Initiative, will be discussed in conferences, shown in exhibitions, and compiled into a publication.

In October 2019, ArcDR3 Initiative has been officially announced at the APRU MH Forum in Mexico City, where it was met with great interest and enthusiasm.