Presentation
Exploring barriers to mitigation by homeowners
US National and Canadian Conference on Earthquake Engineering
(2010)
Abstract
Mitigation techniques to prevent damage and injuries from earthquakes are relatively well understood, and most are inexpensive, yet they are underutilized by homeowners. Disaster research has typically focused on barriers to preparedness; relatively little research has been conducted on the barriers to mitigation. This pilot study expands the research in this area using a sample of over 300 faculty and staff at a western public university situated in a high seismicity area. Mitigation was more common for home structures and systems (mostly code regulated), but severely lacking for home contents. Heightened perceptions of earthquake threats, experience with earthquake injuries and damage, and social relationships were found to be critical predictors of mitigation. Demographic characteristics were not predictive of mitigation or stated obstacles to mitigation. Costs were a small obstacle to home structures and systems mitigation, but for home contents the primary obstacle was the belief that such were not important. Social networks are a key factor in determining mitigation: the more persons in respondents' networks experienced damage, and the more persons in their networks mitigated, the more likely respondents were to mitigate. Suggestions for new non-financial incentives are made.
Disciplines
Publication Date
July, 2010
Location
Toronto, ON; Canada
Comments
July 25-29, 2010
Citation Information
Crystal Paul, James Daniel and Guna S Selvaduray. "Exploring barriers to mitigation by homeowners" US National and Canadian Conference on Earthquake Engineering (2010) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/guna_selvaduray/120/