The role of risk perception on mitigation: Samsun case

Risk perception studies are briefly defined as analyses which are aimed to understand people's thoughts on any risk and its effects, and quantify how these risks are evaluated. In general, Psychometric Paradigm and Cultural Theory methods are used to describe the level of risk perception. According to Psychometric Paradigm the level of risk perception varies depending on risk's characteristics. On the other hand, according to Cultural Theory the level of risk perception varies depending on characteristics of the civic society. As known, integrated disaster management system includes mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery phases and is defined as multidisciplinary and comprehensive process that all stakeholders such as interested persons, institutions and organizations should cooperate each other. As a result of experience gained by disasters, today there is a process which has broader perspective than older approach, pre-disaster activities are gained more importance and has participatory planning process with the participation of stakeholders. Therefore, it is considered that the most important stage of integrated disaster management system is mitigation. The main difference in terms of stakeholders between risk management and disaster management, which are two main stage of integrated disaster management system, that the community, who needs help in disaster management stages, is the most important actor in risk management phase. Therefore, the participation of the public plays a key role as the success of the mitigation process. It is the most important part of the mitigation process on how society perceived risks and which precautions should be taken against these risks; so the level of society's risk perceptiron should not be ignored in this process.It is consired that there is a difference between people's, who have a high level of risk perception and low level of risk perception, contribution to the mitigation process. Some studies indicate that increasing level of risk perception leads to more participation to mitigation process. On the other hand, some studies indicate that there is no significant relationship between the level of risk perception and the level of participation to mitigation process. Under the scope of this study, it is examined that the factors affecting the risk perception level of people who live in Samsun, and as a result of analysis of survey data it has been found that the variation of risk perception level affect the level of mitigation and the level of participation to mitigation process.