Fundamental study of quantitative evaluation method for social impact of natural disaster

-Case study of the 1995 Hanshin earthquake and the 2004 Niigata Chuetsu earthquake-

Abstract

This paper identified the quantitative impact on regional demographic structure caused by two disasters, and concluse as follows. (1)Development of the index evaluating demographic structure. (2)Evaluation of the change of index in the disaster-stricken area, and this change of index designate the Disaster Impact Indicator. (3)Socio-geographical analysis through Disaster Impact Index. This paper showed that a disaster has an impact on the regional demographic structure not only negative impact but also positive one, possibly depending on reconstruction projects.