Factors Influencing the Selection of Housing Location Post Earthquake 2007 in Solok

Abstract

ABSTRACTSolok City is within range of the Sumatera active fault where destructive earthquakes have happenedfrequently (Padang Panjang earthquake 1926, Singkarak earthquake 1943 and 2004, and Solokearthquake 2007). Problems arise when most of the population often quickly forget the danger offuture earthquakes and the mitigation efforts to reduce disaster hazards. New housings were stillbuilt in areas highly prone to earthquakes. The study investigated the factors affecting thelocational choice for housing in post‐earthquake Solok City using qualitative descriptive format.Post earthquake locational analysis of housing areas showed that cumulatively 47% of the houseswere built in ‘high’ to ‘very high’ vulnerability area meaning that almost half of the houses built in theyear 2010 are exposed to high risk from earthquakes. Analysis found four latent factors affecting thechoice for housing location post 2007 Solok earthquake included (1) Earthquake Vulnerability, (2)House Prices, (3) Accessibility, and (4) Policy and Social factors. Analysis showed how earthquakevulnerability was indeed the priority factor in the choice of location for the general society. Howeverthis is contradictory to the reality of the current locations of housing areas built after the 2007earthquake. The general society considered earthquake as very important but they built their housesin the disaster prone ares anyway. Therefore a common awareness needs to be established among allstakeholders to reduce the risks and improve mitigation efforts in case of future disasters.Keywords: earthquake vulnerability, housing location choice, post‐earthquake