Variation of Geospatial Representation of Community Hazard Maps with Disaster Prevention Activities

Abstract. After the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the limitation of assistance by public bodies in the time of such massive natural disaster struck has been recognized. Moreover, it has acknowledged that self-help by suffered families and mutual support of neighbours are crucial to mitigate further damage. Since then, the major focus of the disaster management in Japan has altered to effectiveness of non-structural measures for a forecast crisis. Thus, improving the existing hazard maps into those that show actions to be taken by residents in an easy-to-understand manner has been dictated by the national government.

This study discusses the geospatial representation of an alternative hazard map from residents’ perspective with the local community activities. Those mapping activities have been conducted for some years in a study area. Then, the geospatial information represented on the community hazard map has gradually changed. At the early year of the activities, the map represents the certainty of disaster risks. At the late year of those after few modifications have made, the map mainly argues the possibility of risks from residents’ perspective.