EARTHQUAKE RISK PERCEPTION IN BANJA LUKA: IMPLICATION FOR SEISMIC MANAGEMENT

Seismic risk perception can be considered as critical factor related to citizens behavior during earthquake public risk perceptions had been surveyed in Banja Luka, one of the most earthquake prone risk exposed city in Bosnia and Hercegovina. This study aims to identify various factors influencing people’s perceptions of earthquake risk. This paper presents quantitative research results regarding the influence of socio-demographic factors on the earthquake risk perception of the citizens of Banja Luka. The aim of the research is to determine how much the citizens of Banjaluka are aware of the risk and prepared to react in the event of an earthquake. The relationship between gender, age, level of education, facility ownership and other factors with risk perception have been examined. T-test, One-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to examine the relationship between the variables and the earthquake risk perception. The questionnaire consists of 16 questions. The first part of the questionnaire was consisted of general questions about the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents as well as questions in regards to past experience and attitude to earthquakes. The second part of questionnaire consists questions that would determine the level of awareness of the respondents about earthquakes, and the questions for determining the respondents preparedness. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire that was sent and then collected online among 415 Banja Luka respondents during August 2024. Keywords: disasters, earthquake, risk perception, management, preparedness.