Resettlement Area Detection Model

A Resettlement Area Detection (RAD) model is described to help local governments in depopulating regions evaluate candidate areas for post-disaster relocation. On this occasion, I have developed a method that sources annual population data for the past ten years and combined it with geographic features to compare population growth and population decline areas through a geographic lens to characterize population growth areas and enable the detection of urban structures likely to enable sustained population growth after resettlement. The method assumes that resettlement is a small part of a larger urban redevelopment and reconstruction scheme which together can generate sufficient movement of people into new relocation sites. In addition, the method proved that Tohoku-affected coastal areas with the potential for future population growth are: (1) In proximity to the regional city, (2) have accessible and conglomerate built-up areas closely connected to the main highway, and (3) are surrounded by farmlands which provide a large cohort of the population with sustained livelihood options. Data for the elaboration of this method can be found here.