Japanese Engineer Kit Miyamoto Advises Venezuela on Safer Earthquake Reconstruction

Following devastating earthquakes on June 24, Venezuela faces a monumental reconstruction challenge. International disaster response and seismic-resistant reconstruction specialist H. Kit Miyamoto, a Japanese engineer, is offering guidance, advocating for rebuilding under significantly enhanced safety standards.

Miyamoto, founder and CEO of Miyamoto International, arrived in Venezuela with a team of specialists to assess earthquake damage and aid in the initial recovery phases. After touring La Guaira, he described it as one of the most complex scenarios he has encountered in his career. He emphasized that reconstruction must go beyond simply clearing rubble and erecting new structures.

"For reconstruction, a detailed evaluation of the damage and the geological and structural characteristics of each area must be done," Miyamoto stated. He believes that not all damaged structures need demolition; some can be safely rehabilitated through structural reinforcement if technical assessments deem it viable. He also warned against hasty rebuilding that could replicate the vulnerabilities exposed by the earthquakes.

Miyamoto underscored the critical need for geotechnical studies before constructing new buildings to understand soil capacity, expected seismic behavior, and foundation requirements. He noted that while Venezuelan building codes contain adequate seismic resistance elements, a significant gap often exists between design specifications and actual construction practices. This gap, he explained, can compromise structural integrity, regardless of the design's intent, making material quality and construction techniques paramount.

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For reconstruction, a detailed evaluation of the damage and the geological and structural characteristics of each area must be done.