*Misato Uehara (Shinshu university)
Makoto Fujii (Tonich Engineering Consultant)
Shiba Keita (Kyushu Sangyo University)
Disaster risk assessment is important, but the impact of hazard maps on public perception has not been sufficiently studied. Furthermore, when people encounter such information, issues such as overreaction to risks or ignoring them may arise. Based on Prospect Theory, people tend to evaluate losses, such as disaster risks, more highly than gains, such as the value of the environment, thus it is necessary to consider this response. As a solution, a study that continuously evaluates maps incorporating both environmental and risk assessments and investigates their impacts is required. However, little is known about the influence of such evaluations or maps that integrate different risk elements. Ndubisi, F. (2002) warns of a trend where the approach, initially conceived to be integrative, has been progressively narrowed down, focusing on either biophysical systems or human cultural systems, thereby losing its comprehensive perspective. Herrington, S. (2010) highlights the potential risk of contemporary computer-generated maps further widening the chasm between the map and the actual site. We decided to investigate the differences of public perception between fragmented risk map and 'comprehensive representation of land characteristic maps and overlay maps, which are the wise integration and interpretation of various environmental conditions' that were invented in the field of landscape architecture. This study focuses on four different maps of Staten Island based on Ian McHarg's research and examines the influence of Prospect Theory. Map 1 (EA) represents ecological value, Map 2 (SE) indicates soil erosion risks, Map 3 (ST) shows soil erosion and storm surge risks, and Map 4 (OL) integrates Maps 1 to 3, indicating suitability for conservation, recreation, and urbanization. These evaluations were based on 1,052 samples obtained from 263 participants. The study of willingness to pay (WTP) for each map was conducted using the Least Squares Dummy Variable (LSDV) model, adjusting for individual biases and analyzing WTP differences with Map 2. The results showed that WTP for Map 1 (EA) was the lowest, while WTP for Maps 2, 3, and 4 (OL) was higher, which is consistent with Prospect Theory. However, the intention to continue living in the same location decreased by less than 10% for Maps 2 and 3. In contrast, Map 4 (OL), which simultaneously reflects risks and environmental richness as well as recreational value, received higher evaluations for WTP, intention to stay, and perceived usefulness of the information. This study quantitatively demonstrates the potential of information that allows for the recognition of both disaster risks and the environmental values and benefits of normal conditions.
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