This volume presents an academic proposal, developed by a joint research group of leading scholars in the social and natural sciences from universities affected by global-scale mega disasters occurring in Asia in recent decades. These include Kobe University, which experienced the 1995 Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake; Tohoku University and Iwate University, both at the center of post-disaster reconstruction following the 2011 East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami; Syiah Kuala University in Aceh, Indonesia, which was hard-hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami; and Sichuan University, which took a leading role in post-disaster recovery following the 2004 Sichuan Earthquake. Presenting a comparative analysis focused on lessons learned from the recovery phase following the East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, the book addresses in detail the questions of what should be done to enable truly community-based town planning, and what roles should be played by universities in order to achieve those goals.

Part-1: 1. Challenges in Residents-Centered Reconstruction Process from a Major Disaster:  Lessons Learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake.- 2. Reconstruction of Communities: Lessons from Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and East Japan Earthquake.- 3. Evaluation of Six Years of Reconstruction Since the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake.- 4. The Recovery Phase in Post-Earthquake Christchurch, New Zealand.- Part-2: 5. The Role of Universities in the Reconstruction of Disaster-stricken Areas: Connecting the Local Needs with Seeds.- 6. The Role of Universities in Passing on Memories of Major Disasters, and Research Activities:  Reflections Twenty Years after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and Four Years after the Great East Japan Earthquake.- 7 Role of Universities in Disaster Management and Recovery from the Indian Ocean Tsunami: Perspective from Aceh, Indonesia.- 8. Community-Based Reconstruction of Society and University Involvement: a Coventry University Model.- Part-3: 9. Community-BuildingSurvey of Safety and Living for a Lively Future: Results from Taro, Kuwagsaki, and Unosumai Districts.- 10. Community-Building Survey of Safety and Living for a Lively Future : Results from the Hashikami district of Kesennuma city.