Effects on Elderly Health of Post-Disaster Temporary Housing Location and Services: Case of Four Sites in Fukushima Prefecture

Toshie Koga (Kanto Gakuin University, Dept. of Architecture & Environment)

Residents of post-disaster temporary housings (TH) face stresses that accompany a sudden environmental transition, in addition to stresses experienced in the disaster itself. Many avenues of research have been identified in relation to these issues, and there is a growing body of information to prepare for future disasters. However, there is not much writing about the planning of TH. This study focuses on the effects on the elderly of the siting of TH. Interviews were conducted with 66 participants living in four TH sites in Fukushima prefecture. Questions focused on: (1) their use of specific places ((a) specific gathering and activity places in the complex known by the participants; and (b) regional facilities they use); (2) subjective evaluation of their health; (3) their relationship with the area; and (4) their daily activities. Participants also rated their knowledge and evaluations on the above topics on 4 or 5 point scales. 57 interviews, accounting for more than 80% of the participants, were of elderly residents over 60 years old and were chosen for analysis.

Correlations between items were analyzed for respective sites using the Kruskal- Wallis test. The analysis revealed that daily activities such as shopping, strolling, visiting acquaintances were influenced by convenience of facilities and transportation, and scale of the TH complex. For residents in sites remote from the downtown, correlations were found between the number of regional places participants regularly visit and subjective health measured by degrees of activeness and independence, and familiarity to the city. In the same site, those who reported anxiety about health had significantly lower levels of knowledge of places, familiarity, and activeness.

The results suggest that location and surroundings of TH sites affect the subsequent health of its occupants, and indicates the necessity of planning post- disaster TH during normal times.