Hazard exposure heterophily in socio-spatial networks contributes to post-disaster recovery in low-income populations

Abstract

Despite recognition of the influence of socio-spatial networks on disaster recovery, limited data-driven evidence exists regarding the nature of this relationship. To address this knowledge gap, this study investigated the duration of the human mobility recovery process and its relationship with hazard-exposure heterophily (as a measure for the resourcefulness of social ties) and various other socio-demographic characteristics. We applied the concept of hazard-exposure heterophily to the possibility of resource sharing, through social-spatial networks, between communities with different hazard exposures. We used human movement patterns to measure recovery duration. To understand the disparities during recovery, we examined the correlations between recovery duration and the social demographic characteristics of race and income caused by Hurricane Harvey which made landfall in Harris County, Texas, on August 25, 2017. We discerned high/low hazard-exposure heterophily through the use of a threshold-classification method, and we got four clusters according to the flood-inundation percentage and social connectedness values. Then we applied correlation analysis to analyze the relations between hazard-exposure heterophily/income and recovery weeks among different income groups. The results revealed that hazard-exposure heterophily considerably accelerates human mobility recovery in low-income areas, as the hazard-exposure heterophily allows for the increased exchange of knowledge and resources between members of diverse groups, ultimately accelerating the recovery process. The results of this study could benefit local agents to better allocate recovery resources.