Investigating Risk Communication Process for Community's Disaster Reduction with a Framework of "Communicative Survey Method"

Abstract

Risk communication is considered as an important step of risk management process. An appropriate risk communication needs holistic learning, facilitation between the information sender and receiver, and trust. The paper proposes a new method of risk communication emphasizing the trust building with the local communities through communicative survey. Applying the method in Nagata elementary school, the paper provides a case example with illustration and analysis on useful communicative survey, and exemplifies the shelter planning (shelter location and residents' assignment) process. The participants' ideas and their opinions are best used to adaptively modify and eventually reach the most appropriate assignment plan. It is argued that the process builds trust in the risk information and enables residents to take decisive actions.