UTATSU ENVIRONSAs one rounds the bend into Utatsu andthe former commercial district of Isatomae, they
are lead along a river’s edge. The Isatomae Riveroriginates near the town of Haraikawa, 4.8 miles [7.8km] northwest of Isatomae at the base of Tatsugane
mountain, the tallest peak in Minamisanriku. The
medieval home of Shugendo mountain ascetics[yamabushi], Mt. Tatsugane once was a station on
a 78 mountain pilgrimage and has worked its way
into local folk song.
Near the end of its course, after collecting
contributions from several valleys of stepped paddy
fields [tanada], Isatomae River sweeps past Saiko
Temple and the area’s main burial mount, ultimately
delivering its freshwater to the modest bay ofIsatomae. The bay entrance is appropriately framedby two unpretentious hilltop shrines. Approximately
2000 feet [600 m] from the Isatomae bay, the river
bend at Saiko Temple is also marked by the former
crossing of the JR Kesennuma rail line. In moderntimes, urban fill steadily narrowed the river mouth
and a tidal gate was installed in order to regulateflows.
Originally an important commercial andspiritual corridor, the river steadily became obscured
and relegated to the status of a community
backwater as Isatomae grew. However, with thetidal gate now destroyed and fill greatly eroded
through destructive tsunami forces, Isatomae River’s
indigenous estuarial nature is creeping back into
existence. Initial site study revealed a landscapewith little trace of original ecology, yet great
potential for reformation.
We believe in a plan for community
reinvention which has at its heart a vibrant estuary,
where Mountain and Sea may once again meetfor a dynamic exchange. Serving as a community
clock, tidal changes--and the ocean’s inherent
capriciousness--will no longer be hidden from view.
Reed beds and mud flats will once again yield
fry and molluscs for beleaguered fisherman, while
also serving as a didactic landscape for citizens.
The newly fluctuating shoreline will host the weekly
exchange of produce from up-river farmers anddown-river fisherman alike.
The combination ofa stabilized ecology and a practice of planningin accordance with environmental processes, will
reduce expense and build up a more disasterresilient base. Simply stated: through re-connection
to natural ecology, this aquatic-informed community
will be better equipped to endure and transcend
future, inevitable natural events.

Japan 3/11 Initiative [Japan Design Workshop 2011] Utatsu Environs				Adele Phillips				Charles Lemonnier

RIVER TRANSECT
川のトランセクト
A deeper look into the Isatomae watershed was required in order to adequately understand the rivertransect. Study of aerial imagery revealed tanada [consecutively irrigated rice paddies] and indicates that
there is a reliable flow of fresh water to Utatsu.

TanadaSATOYAMA

MAEUMI

Isatomae
Isatomae River

Saltwater Influx Limit

Japan 3/11 Initiative [Japan Design Workshop 2011] Utatsu Environs

RIVER TRANSECT
川のトランセクト
As the river was traversed, observations of water quality and speed, plant communities, edge conditions,animal habitat, visual qualities and human usage were noted.
Alone, each observation has little apparent significance, but collectively they create a dialogue about
the place of study. This practice of recording unchecked narrative brought about a greater level ofattentiveness and awareness in the researcher. Guesses or discoveries made along the walk were later
either confirmed or refuted by further research.

Japan 3/11 Initiative [Japan Design Workshop 2011] Utatsu Environs

546

3

2
1

Furthest reach of tidal flows.
Concrete reinforcement still firmly intact.
Steady flow of clean water.

Successful breaching of retaining walls.
Plant and animal colony re-emergence.
Park-like quality already beginning to emerge

Broken tidal gate.
Absent seed bed due to fill landscape.
Visibly polluted water.

RIVER TRANSECT
川のトランセクト

Despite the clearly destructive forces of the 3.11tsunami, the fact that the river had been channelized
and banked with concrete reinforcement walls wasplainly evident.
These scenes along the river reveal already emerging
plant colonies, and locations where destroyed
channel barriers can serve as the launch-points forestuary rehabilitation. Near central Isatomae wheredevelopments were situated on fill, the somewhat
problematic absence of a native seed bed was also
plainly evident.
135

2

46

Japan 3/11 Initiative [Japan Design Workshop 2011] Utatsu Environs

Images: Dr. James Wescoat

POST ASSESSMENT RATIONALE & DESIGN FRAMEWORK
After having observed the post-disaster conditions of the riverbed and adjacent areas, it was clear that Isatomae’s legacy is almost all concrete and reinforcementsteel, the detritus of a highly engineered landscape. Because of this history of human effort to dominate natural aspects of the location, there is little tracenative habitat for wildlife. The rebound of local ecology has been slow to occur, and foreign or invasive species may begin to dominate. This proposal for thereintroduction of the Isatomae Estuary focuses on the last 600m of the river, the area of tidal influx. The primary design goal is to create a new, synergetic
relationship between humans and nature. A renewed site ecology will serve as the didactic link between grieving the tragic events of 3.11 and moving forward.
The natural fluctuations of the estuary will not only be the basis for a new parkscape, but also be a boon to the local fishing industry as it harbours new colonies
of shellfish and the fry of many ocean-maturing species of fish.

HEALING
癒し

内面的回顧

永久的山InternalMemorial

PermanentHill

External
外面的Market
市場Transient
一時的Estuary
河口MAEUMIEDUCATION
教育

Reinvention & Experimentation
再創造&経, 験的なこと

ECONOMY経済USER
対象者

Japan 3/11 Initiative [Japan Design Workshop 2011] Utatsu Environs

PROGRAMプログラム

Dynamic
動的PHYSICALITY
物性SATOYAMA

The diagram below summarizes the conceptual pairings found in the Satoyama / Maeumi design scheme, and their programmatic and physical manifestations.

MAEUMI
前海The estuary plan is the embodiment of a new attitude towards human habitat and environment. It represents a unique
opportunity to reunite agriculture and mariculture, as well as create a didactic exchange between locals and visitors. Rather
than seeking to dominate the inevitabilities and capriciousness of the sea, we would like to see community development
which embraces and accentuates the very nature of the sea upon which the local economy is built.
The Japanese word for ‘oceanfront’ is comprised of the characters ‘mae’ (fore~) and ‘umi’ (ocean). Our proposal “MyUmi” meansthat we want people of Utatsu to love their estuary, care for it, and through doing so feel a sense of ownership.

Japan 3/11 Initiative [Japan Design Workshop 2011] Utatsu Environs

WHY AN ESTUARY IS DESIRABLE
なぜ河口が望ましい

Ecological and Economic Benefits
環境、経済へのメリット
The fluctuating nature of an estuary makes fortremendously diverse environments and therefore
allows for a greater diversity of plant and animalspecies to inhabit it. This diversification means thateven when one species encounters difficulty, others
may not. As a breeding ground and safe harbor for
ocean-maturing species, the estuary can serve as anursery for local fisherman.
Estuary environments
are nutrient rich spaces which also serve as filters;
reed beds remove toxins from the water and soils
deposited by freshwater currents.

Didactic Environment
教訓的な環境With gradually sloping banks, transient tidal flats andboardwalks, the estuary becomes a ground for students
of marine ecology and environmental rehabilitation.
Families may explore an aquatic environment that
previously was closed off to them, and while at play
may teach their children about the dangers and meritsof the sea. Researchers, too, may come to study theprocess of environmental rehabilitation and add to thedialogue of disaster-resilient design.

Design sketch imagining a new estuarial park.

Aesthetic Landscape
教訓的な環境The most obvious merit of a re-established estuary
is the aesthetic qualities it would bring to the city
as a natural element. From summer swimming andclamming season to winter bird migration, throughout
the year’s changing seasons, the estuary can enrich
the community through all senses.

Japan 3/11 Initiative [Japan Design Workshop 2011] Utatsu Environs

PASSIVELY ENGINEERED LANDSCAPING
受動的な風景Post-Tsunami Eroded Edge
災害後の海岸線

The primary estuary design intentions are: 1] Maintain current marine access, 2] Create greater habitat for
more mariculture products, 3] Create market space for agri-mari nexus, 4] Provide protection from stormswells. Additionally, it is desirable to use as little energy as possible in this process. Strategic excavation willallow for the estuary to remodel itself while the community focuses on its own rebirth and reestablishment.
Removal of estuary fill can further support community re-settlement and environmental protection byeliminating the need to cut into hillsides elsewhere.

Historic Settlement EdgePre-Tsunami Engineered Edge
災害前の海岸線

Secondary Excavation
Primary Excavation
切断と掘削
Main Current

Secondary Excavation
Primary Excavation

Typical non-engineered river section: wetlandand exposed rock edges.

Section illustrating eroding edge and an engineerededge in front of which sediment has deposited.

Japan 3/11 Initiative [Japan Design Workshop 2011] Utatsu Environs

Section through natural wave protection formed bystrategic fill excavations.

ANTICIPATED LANDSCAPE MODELLING
予想されるランドスケープの形

Over time, with some human intervention, a graduated landscape will emerge which holistically services boththe community and the native ecosystem.

High Tide

Low Tide
No Tidal Change

Low TideHigh Tide

Depth and Engineered edges
preserved for Mariculture
practice

Natural edge formed by wave
actionLocation of new Farmer/
Fisherman Market

Natural buffer calms wave
action in upper estuary
environment beyond
Buffer zone also creates moreedge conditions from which tobuild marine habitat
Final stage of filtration zone

Sedimentation zone provides
ideal habitat for bivalves
Most mixing of salt and freshwater

Runoff collection wetland
eliminates issues of tidallockingWetland provides habitat
for fresh water species thatcannot tolerate saltwater

Set aside as a naturepreserve, the upper estuary
houses salt-water resistantspecies and serves as primary
habitat for ocean-species fry

Japan 3/11 Initiative [Japan Design Workshop 2011] Utatsu Environs

ADVANCED STAGE GROWTH
河口の高度に発展した形
Greater, more specific analysis of the site’s hydrology and soils is needed in order to truly predict 1] how theestuary would reform, and 2] what plant and animal colonies would re-establish. However, until that researchis conducted, known precedents of wetland ecology and morphology help us to realistically anticipate thefuture of Isatomae’s estuary.

Freshwater MarshRich Sediments / 沈殿物

Reed Beds / あし原

Semi-engineered Buffer
山の詳細
Mean High Water
Mean Low Water
Organic Debris & Fill
Semi-engineered surface& habitat

Japan 3/11 Initiative [Japan Design Workshop 2011] Utatsu Environs

Damage and unsafe conditions created by storm surges and other atmospheric events may be mitigated bya semi-engineered landscape of artificial islands. Reinforced by timber piles on the ocean-side, the islands
serve as both protection and a means of extending
the amount of habitat for marine life.

USAGE & ENVIRONMENTAL ZONING
ゾーニンク

Market市場

Upland Farmers
農家Beachビーチ

Cottage-scale Fishing
小さな小屋レベルの家 族経営型水産業

Molluscs
貝Freshwater Influx & Reed Bed Zone

Estuary Development Area
Direct Sea Access Maintained

Route to Shizugawa Large-scale Market
志津川への道

Industrial-scale Fishing
大きな規模の水産業

Japan 3/11 Initiative [Japan Design Workshop 2011] Utatsu Environs

MARKET / 市場

Market: A Community Clock
集落にとっての時計としての市場

Utatsu Tidal Data / 歌津の潮の情報

As a means of bringing awareness of the dynamic fluctuation of salt andfresh water back into the minds of residents, the estuary will host a weekly
market. This will be a space of re-invention and experimentation. Themarket will bring both farmers and fishermen together, as well as friends andstrangers. Most importantly, the market will respond to the tidal dynamics ofthe estuary. Through physically illustrating sea changes, the market will re-link
the community to its environmental base and serve as a ‘community clock’.

Japan 3/11 Initiative [Japan Design Workshop 2011] Utatsu Environs

Market Zone

Conceptual Movement: Market Timing
概念的な動き: 市場の時期ごと

NW Commerce Zone

Edo Road

9月       0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52 -SE Park Zone

3月

A mobile market serves as the cultural nexus between agriculture and mariculture, as well as an illustration of natural, inevitable, hydrologicforces. Further design research will help us to answer the question: What kind of architecture can best respond to the demands of such a siteand program? The following factors must be of primary concern: 1] change can only be perceived through the relative relationship of a static
point and an active one, 2] designing for impermanence and the long-term health of the estuary, and 3] the physical capabilities of the market
customers and operators.

Japan 3/11 Initiative [Japan Design Workshop 2011] Utatsu Environs

Market-Architecture Concepts
考えられる市場の建築の形

Assemblage of Uniform,
Mobile Units:

Fixed Grid with Transferable
Parts & Universal Connections:Hybrid of Fixed Grid& Mobile Units:

High Tide

Low Tide