Mon., Jan. 26, 2026: Staff Seminar “Near Misses and Mitigation: Evidence from Roof Renovations After Hurricane Irma” (online)

We regularly hold Staff Seminars for research presentations and information exchanges among AGI Researchers.

*This seminar will be online and free of charge.

*Please refer to the following for details.

Date and Time

Monday, January 26, 2026 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
*A question-and-answer session is scheduled after the presentation.

Presenter

Dr. Alvaro Dominguez, Assistant Professor, AGI

Title

Near Misses and Mitigation: Evidence from Roof Renovations After Hurricane Irma

Abstract

Communities are becoming increasingly exposed to natural disasters due to the ongoing effects of climate change. Although stricter building standards can reduce these risks, they primarily protect new homes or those that are voluntarily renovated—an option many households forgo. This study investigates whether a natural disaster can spur voluntary adoption of the latest building codes through a “near-miss” experience, in which a homeowner narrowly escapes damage while a neighbor does not. Using wind damage and housing data from Lee County, Florida, within a difference-in-differences framework, we find homeowners were 64% more likely to voluntarily renovate their roof, and therefore adopt the latest wind-resistance technology, if a neighboring property experienced wind damage from Hurricane Irma (2017). Analysis of this same data using machine learning also reveals a clear shift in renovation drivers: structural characteristics, especially the home’s age, were most important in determining roof renovations during the pre-hurricane period, while peer adoption became the leading factor afterward, reflecting strong behavioral responses to local damage. Taken together, these findings indicate that homeowners are more inclined to invest in costly protective measures when directly confronted with the realities of a disaster. Policies seeking to promote mitigation technology may be more effective if they more clearly communicate the hazards of a natural disaster.

Language

English presentation and material(s)

Presenter Biography

Alvaro Dominguez is an Assistant Professor at AGI specializing in the Economics of Networks and Environmental Economics. His work explores strategies for accelerating green technology adoption, distribution of pollutants in Japan, and network dynamics in negotiations. He holds a PhD in Economics from Nagoya University.

To Participate

1. Online Registration
https://forms.gle/VHTenMR9U2EquQ49A

2. E-mail Registration
Please send us an e-mail at office@agi.or.jp with your name, affiliation and phone number.

We will send you a Zoom link for participation via e-mail by one business day before the seminar.

Registration Deadline

Friday, January 23 at 12:00 pm

How to Participate Online

date：2025.12.16
Category：Seminars