Citizens' Perceptions of Earthquake Memorial Parks and Their Willingness to Participate in the Parks' Management and Use: Results of a Survey of Residents Living in the Coastal Areas of the Miyagi Prefecture Affected by the Great East Japan Earthquak

ABSTRACT Many earthquake memorial parks were established in Japan following the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 (an earthquake and tsunami). The parks are intended as spaces for commemorating the disaster victims and disseminating information regarding the disaster. The parks are also expected to play a role in supporting local communities. Therefore, it is essential to manage these parks with the local residents' understanding and cooperation. This paper clarifies the relationship between local residents' perceptions of earthquake memorial parks and their willingness to participate in managing and using them. A survey was conducted targeting residents of eight municipalities in the Miyagi Prefecture where earthquake memorial parks are located. Respondents were surveyed regarding their willingness to use the parks and participate in their management, experiences of the disaster, experiences communicating about the disaster, familiarity with earthquake memorial parks, and perception of the parks' relevance. The results indicated that 27% of respondents had a desire to use a park on a daily basis, and 15% were willing to participate in their management. The responses indicated a sense of familiarity with these parks and the parks' personal importance for the respondents; these factors were associated with a willingness to participate in park management.