A Study on Preference of Residents on House Relocation for Mitigating Disaster Waste Caused by Tsunami

Abstract

Tsunami disasters not only cause great damage to human life and property, but will hinder the reconstruction with a huge amount of disaster waste for a long term. This study aims to examine the feasibility of house relocation project planned for mitigating Tsunami disaster waste through analyzing residents’ preference. The analysis started by Stated Preferences (SP) questionnaire survey for 2,000 residents living in potential Tsunami inundation area across eight prefectures, in which difference of relocation preference by condition and family structures was focused. The result indicated that residents generally need infrastructure construction such as banks and do not see house relocation as a realistic alternative. However, it was also revealed that approximately 40％ of residents may potentially think it is desirable to relocate their residence. Comparative analysis of household characteristics indicated that cost and needs of detached house can be impediments to relocation, while families with small children and young people tend to prefer house relocation even if their condition is severe. Most of aged people, however, refused house relocation for disaster prevention even if they are exempt from all costs.