2019 Volume 74 Issue 2 Pages 70-89
This study discusses possibilities and challenges involving a community-based map-making activity which focuses on the geographical characteristics of natural disasters. This activity is part of a broader attempt at sharing and reinforcing disaster mitigation strategies of use to both individuals and community members. This study also explores the various aspects of this activity, including classroom instruction, fieldwork, and presentations conducted under the theme of flood and sediment disasters in Ishikari City, Hokkaido, Japan. This activity was held on August 27, 2016, and was attended by fourteen people (including three elementary school students) from residents' associations and Hamamasu Elementary School. Analysis of findings gathered from three data sources – a questionnaire given to adult participants, three disaster mitigation maps, and presentations by residents - shows that the map-making activity encourages residents to share knowledge and information on disaster mitigation. Of importance to future work in this area are remaining issues facing long term disaster mitigation education. Problems include limited understanding by residents of the relationship between local disaster characteristics and local natural/built environments, which consist of predispositions towards eventual disasters as well as benefits to local residents.
