Analysis of Residents' Evacuation Behavior after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake

Abstract

In the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, over 120, 000 buildings collapsed as well as lifelinefacilities (electricity, water and gas supply, etc.) were destroyed and a large number of residents were forced to evacuate to shelters after the earthquake. This study aims to show the actual conditions of the residents' evacuation behavior immediately after the earthquake and during the following three years and reveal the factors affecting their behavior. The main findings of the study were based on two-questionnaire survey to residents in the affected area.