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Assessment of urban areas’ vulnerability to flooding using GIS and AHP model; case study: Qazvin city
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Sahar Danyali *   |
| Center for the Study of Dysfunctional and High-Risk Urban Fabrics, Natural Disasters Research Institute (NDRI), Tehran, Iran. , sahar.danyali@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (1855 Views) |
Objective: 'Given the rapid development of human societies and the increasing complexity of their internal and external relationships, the management and planning of disasters and their impact on human settlements has become essential. Given the growing vulnerability of urban settlements to disasters, and the vital role of floods in natural ecosystems, this study aims to identify the factors influencing flood vulnerability, and to assess the level of vulnerability in different areas of Qazvin City by creating a flood hazard zoning map.'
Method: This applied-developmental study uses a descriptive-analytical method. First, indicators influencing flood vulnerability were extracted through a review of reputable scientific sources. Then, two main criteria — vulnerability and exposure — along with related sub-criteria, were identified and analyzed. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was then used to assign weights to these criteria and sub-criteria. The relevant data were then processed within a geographic information system (GIS). By integrating information layers and applying the derived weights, flood hazard zoning maps were generated for Qazvin city. The final output of this process was a flood risk zoning map identifying high-risk areas in Qazvin city and proposing management strategies to reduce vulnerability.
Results: This study identified a set of variables for assessing flood vulnerability and examined their impact. The analysis showed that the southern and western areas of Qazvin are the most vulnerable to flooding, with a significant proportion of the city falling into the high-vulnerability category. These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive planning and the use of modern technologies for flood risk management. The referenced technologies include advanced meteorological forecasting systems, GIS for precise zoning, remote sensing for monitoring flood-prone areas, drones for assessing damage, communication technologies for issuing timely alerts and machine learning algorithms for more accurate flood prediction. These tools can effectively support the development of comprehensive flood management and vulnerability reduction plans in at-risk areas.
Conclusions: Given Qazvin's location in flatlands and the impact of runoff from precipitation, assessing vulnerability and managing flood hazards is essential. To minimize potential damage, this study proposes measures such as reducing density near riverbanks, renovating deteriorating urban areas, increasing street permeability and ensuring sensitive land uses are properly located. These actions could significantly reduce the financial and human losses caused by flooding. |
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| Keywords: Vulnerability, risk exposure, flood, GIS, AHP. |
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Full-Text [PDF 2002 kb]
(74 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/01/12 | Accepted: 2025/07/2 | Published: 2025/09/22
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