Conference Dates
June 18-21, 2006
Abstract
Understanding and formulation of risk of a natural disaster requires consideration of every aspect of risk, which can be handled by development of integrated approaches. In such integrated approaches, several discipline’s views are incorporated into risk assessment to see the whole picture. Hence, the risk which can be experienced before and / or after a natural disaster should be a common concern for both natural and social disciplines and should be handled through a interdisciplinary approach. A field research was conducted with 1500 households, selected through stratified random sampling, using the database obtained from the Eskisehir Greater Metropolitan Municipality. Interviews were made face to face with one adult person over the age of 18 in each household. The effects are analysed in three levels : before, during and after a possible earthquake. The major dimensions of socio- economic vulnerability is determined as demographic, socio-economic, social Security and insurance and behavioural. Data collected is analysed with factor analysis and a socio-economic and cultural vulnerability index is calculated. Level of income, education, age came out as the major indicators determining the level of awareness of risk and being prepared for a possible earthquake. Also relative poverty, presented a risk before and after the earthquake. Thus, during the earthquake, social networks of the individuals, though seemed to be disintegrated to some extent, was found to be the most significant indicator, providing the people with a variety of support facilities. Social network mechanisms decreased the effect of disaster and supported the coping strategies of individuals. However, reliance on social networks also presented a risk and vulnerability for the households if there are no other coping strategies.
Recommended Citation
Sibel Kalaycioglu, Helga Rittersberger-Tilic, Kezban Celik, and Fatime Günes, "Integrated Natural Disaster Risk Assessment: The Socio-Economic Dimension of Earthquake Risk in the Urban Area" in "Geohazards", Professor Farrokh Nadim, International Centre for Geohazards, Oslo, Norway; Dr. Rudolf Pöttler, Managing Director, ILF - Consulting Engineers, Innsbruck, Austria; Professor Herbert Einstein, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Professor Herbert Klapperich, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Geotechnik, Freiberg, Germany; Professor Steven Kramer, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA Eds, ECI Symposium Series, (2006). https://dc.engconfintl.org/geohazards/23
Presentation