Raffaele Giannitelli on Earthquake Reconstruction: Lessons from Japan
In an article on Artribune, engineer and urban planner Raffaele Giannitelli reflects on earthquake reconstruction, drawing lessons from Japan's seismic resilience. He argues that reconstruction must prioritize people and identity over mere physical rebuilding. Giannitelli criticizes the risk of creating fake 'outlet' villages and advocates for a process that involves survivors in mapping the identity of destroyed places before designing contemporary, safe structures. He references the 2016 earthquake in central Italy, particularly Amatrice, and calls for thoughtful, culturally aware planning to avoid the mistakes of past rapid reconstructions that produced soulless new towns. The article includes photos of damaged churches in Amatrice provided by the Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale.
Key facts
- Raffaele Giannitelli is an engineer and administrator of Surf Engineering Srl in Rome.
- The article discusses earthquake reconstruction in Italy, referencing the 2016 central Italy earthquake.
- Giannitelli uses Japan as an example of effective seismic resilience through cultural and technological adaptation.
- He emphasizes that cities are made of people, not just stones.
- He warns against rebuilding 'in style' as it risks creating fake, soulless villages.
- He proposes creating identity maps of destroyed places before reconstruction.
- He suggests using competitions or invited calls to select sensitive architects and engineers.
- The article includes photos of Chiesa di San Giovanni and Porta San Francesco in Amatrice.
- Giannitelli was born in Formia in 1966.
- The article was published on Artribune in August 2016.
Entities
Artists
- Raffaele Giannitelli
Institutions
- Artribune
- Surf Engineering Srl – Urban Design & Landscape
- Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale
Locations
- Italy
- Japan
- Amatrice
- Formia
- Rome