jailcd2019-081: Analysis of Urban Park as Evacuation Area during Flood in Wakamatsu

Abstract

A natural disaster is natural processes or phenomena that can cause loss of life, injury or other health effects. Furthermore, social and economic distribution occur as well as property and environmental damage. Japan, has become one of a successful country in disaster prevention and can be taken as a reference. However, climate change in Japan is also inevitable. Specifically, rainfall is currently unpredictable both it is intensity and occurrence. Consequently, flood risk also increases. Wakamatsu, which is one of an area in Kitakyushu, Japan, is historically safe from severe natural disaster. However the preventive actions in this area are still needed considering unpredictable events in the future. Urban parks as public open spaces are the areas that are strongly related to community activities. Public open space is a potential area for increasing disaster resilience and post-disaster management. The purpose of this study is to identify to what extent city parks can be utilized as evacuation areas from floods and other natural disasters. The method used in this research relies on direct observation and government official data collection.