Extraordinary Regulation Revision
Tadashi Miyazaki
The Nippon Foundation
The Nippon Foundation
Renovations Supported by The Nippon Foundation
Indepth Articles
[Feb. 23, 2010]
Kyoto regulations regarding the size of elevators that may be installed were recently revised in a highly unusual move meant to accomodate the needs of a care home for the disabled. The renovation of the home had stalled, following a June 2008 decision by the Nippon Foundation to provide financial aid for the project. However, this past January 6th, following the prefectural government's surprise decision, elevator installation was restarted, in accordance with original plans. The home was scheduled to open in April.
The two-story building to be renovated
The Amino Welfare Association is leasing the care home and the land it stands on, free of charge from Kyotango City in Kyoto Prefecture. When complete, the home will become the city's fourth such facility. It will be a sturdy, steel-frame building, with approximately 200 square meters divided between two floors. The ground floor will be used by the seriously disabled and the upper floor will be used for disabled women. The total cost of renovation will be 13.5 million. 7.9 million is being provided by The Nippon Foundation with the rest coming from other support organizations.
The problem concerned a three-person elevator measuring 95 cm wide by 115 cm deep. Local regulations required at minimum a nine-person elevator measuring 135 cm deep, and the Prefecture had warned that the plan would not be approved.
Building interior
In response, the welfare association petitioned the prefecture, city, local councilors and relevant departments, pointing out that (1) an elevator was essential for the facility, (2) an expensive nine-person elevator was not needed since only four of the six residents would be using the upper floors and, (3) numerous care homes in other prefectures use even smaller elevators.
This eventually led to the highly-unusual, partial amendment of prefectural regulations.