Bridging the Gap Between Tsunami Risk Awareness and Physical Vulnerabilities: A Data-Driven Approach for Disaster-Resilient Urban Planning

Abstract

This study introduces a novel approach to integrating tsunami risk awareness (TRA) and physical risk assessments by tsunami at the subdivision (Oaza) level, offering a comprehensive spatial analysis for disaster-resilient urban and regional planning. Using detailed tsunami inundation data and TRA data from a large-scale questionnaire survey, it quantifies the gap between perceived tsunami risk and actual physical vulnerabilities in parts of Japan’s Pacific and Seto Inland Sea coasts. Geographic information systems (GIS) were employed to spatially aggregate these datasets, identifying regions where low TRA and high physical risk indicate critical weaknesses in disaster preparedness. Notable areas, such as parts of the Nōbi Plain and Kojima Bay, show high tsunami risk but low resident awareness, necessitating urgent interventions. This study supports disaster risk reduction by providing actionable insights for policymakers and urban planners to enhance structural defenses and public awareness, emphasizing the integration of community awareness into spatial risk assessments.