Estimation of the Spatial Impact of the Pohang Earthquake on Regional Economies: Development of the SCGE Model
This study analyzes the spatial effects of the Pohang earthquake on regional economies by developing a spatial computational general equilibrium (SCGE) model. The model is composed of regional modules of production and consumption and is linked with a transport demand model at the city and county levels. The effects are measured using changes in the gross regional product (GRP) derived from increases in travel time costs from the collapse of road networks by an earthquake. Three scenarios are considered in this study in terms of external shocks to changes in production capacities (capital stocks) and travel time costs. Counter-factual experiments show that the earthquake in Pohang may have led to economic losses in other regions besides the area in which the earthquake occurred. Results showed a decline in gross domestic product by 0.58%, GRP by 3.69% for southern Daegu in zones directly influenced by the earthquake, and 0.64% for capital regions in zones indirectly influenced by the earthquake. These negative outcomes on the economies depended on much more direct damage to production facilities rather than indirect damage such as the collapse of road networks after an earthquake.