Abstract
This paper addresses the need for the use of participatory workshop methods to improve everyday disaster response capacity locally within communities. Most current workshop methods mainly address disaster risk awareness and focus on personal post-disaster actions, despite an increasing need to create an implementable action plan by moving beyond enhancing risk awareness. This type of implementable action plan is required in order to enable participants from a local community to collaborate together. A method called the Yonmenkaigi system, originally developed in a local community in Japan, is presented for this purpose. The Yonmenkaigi system is designed to consist of the following steps: carrying out a SWOT analysis, completing the Yonmenkaigi Chart, debating between groups, and presenting a group action plan. As demonstrated in a case study carried out in the City of Kyoto, this method shows its relevance and effectiveness in developing collaborative action plans for preparedness and mitigation in disaster reduction activities in a community.
