Digital Disaster Education Park Vulnerability and Disaster Preparedness Measures (Study On Mount Semeru)

The 2021 eruption of Mount Semeru caused 61 deaths and the displacement of thousands people, exposed major shortcomings in community preparedness. One key factor contributing to these gaps is the limited availability of educational media that is accessible and relevant to the local context. This study addresses this issue by developing and validating a digital educational platform that was co-designed with local residents. The research offers two main novelties. Firstly, it combines comprehensive volcanic and geological information with practical preparedness guidelines that are presented on website. Secondly, the participatory co-design approach involving the local community contrasts with the usual top-down approach to disaster ICT initiatives. An educational website was produced and iteratively tested for feasibility with 34 individuals directly affected by the Semeru eruption, guided by a research and development (R&D) framework. Initial small-group testing (n = 10) yielded a 70% feasibility score, prompting significant revisions. Subsequent large-group testing (n = 24) demonstrated increased feasibility of over 92%, classifying the final product as ’highly feasible’. This research delivers a validated, context-specific digital tool that bridges the gap between government mitigation plans and grassroots needs, positioning the website as both a product and a model for interventions that strengthen community resilience.