TY - JOUR
T1 - Incentives and disincentives analysis for improving policy for seismic risk management of homeowners in Japan
AU - Kohiyama, Masayuki
AU - Kiremidjian, Anne S.
AU - Meguro, Kimiro
AU - Ohara, Miho Yoshimura
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - In order to improve policy and programs to promote retrofitting of houses in Japan, incentives and disincentives for seismic risk management by homeowners were studied by two approaches: a fault tree analysis (FTA) method and a questionnaire survey to homeowners. The result of the FTA revealed two common causes that hindered homeowners' seismic risk management: disaster awareness problem and fear of dishonest contractors. The questionnaire survey identified both incentives and disincentives. It was observed that neighbors could prompt retrofitting statistically significantly, and there were three major disincentives to retrofitting: high retrofitting cost, low contractor credibility, and little engineering information. The current policy in Japan put emphasis on seismic diagnosis in comparison with those in the United States. However, based on the above-mentioned observations, it was suggested that planning and reviewing of retrofitting work, as well as management after retrofitting, should be assisted more comprehensively in order to promote retrofitting. In addition, more attention should be paid to risk communication to provide engineering information on retrofitting, to foster mutual trust between homeowners and contractors/engineers, and to encourage information exchange with neighbors.
AB - In order to improve policy and programs to promote retrofitting of houses in Japan, incentives and disincentives for seismic risk management by homeowners were studied by two approaches: a fault tree analysis (FTA) method and a questionnaire survey to homeowners. The result of the FTA revealed two common causes that hindered homeowners' seismic risk management: disaster awareness problem and fear of dishonest contractors. The questionnaire survey identified both incentives and disincentives. It was observed that neighbors could prompt retrofitting statistically significantly, and there were three major disincentives to retrofitting: high retrofitting cost, low contractor credibility, and little engineering information. The current policy in Japan put emphasis on seismic diagnosis in comparison with those in the United States. However, based on the above-mentioned observations, it was suggested that planning and reviewing of retrofitting work, as well as management after retrofitting, should be assisted more comprehensively in order to promote retrofitting. In addition, more attention should be paid to risk communication to provide engineering information on retrofitting, to foster mutual trust between homeowners and contractors/engineers, and to encourage information exchange with neighbors.
KW - Buildings, residential
KW - Earthquakes
KW - Japan
KW - Rehabilitation
KW - Risk management
KW - Seismic effects
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U2 - 10.1061/(ASCE)1527-6988(2008)9:4(170)
DO - 10.1061/(ASCE)1527-6988(2008)9:4(170)
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:54249160974
VL - 9
SP - 170
EP - 178
JO - Natural Hazards Review
JF - Natural Hazards Review
SN - 1527-6988
IS - 4
ER -