Cost-benefit analysis of housing relocation intended for disaster prevention and mitigation measures

Abstract

This study examines the cost-effectiveness of collective relocation against landslides from the perspective of relocated residents in a high-risk area for landslides in area A, Kobe City, Japan. The city’s Nada and Kita wards were selected as relocation targets. Multiple relocation patterns were created to relocate all or some of the detached houses in the district. Six items were proposed as costs and three as benefits. The costs and benefits for each relocation pattern were calculated, and a cost-benefit analysis was conducted. The results reveal that the benefits exceeded the costs in most relocation patterns. The results also show that the selection of the relocation area significantly impacted the cost-benefit analysis results.