A GIS Implementation of a Model of Systemic Vulnerability Assessment in Urbanized Areas Exposed to Combined Risk of Landslide and Flood

Abstract

This chapter aims to analyze the systemic vulnerability of a complex urban area when a combined flood-landslide event occurs. The proposed approach of vulnerability evaluation differs from traditional methods as it provides an analysis of “systemic vulnerability” measuring the relationship between extreme event magnitude and the direct and indirect consequences of this event on the territorial system. GIS technology has been introduced for the proposed systemic vulnerability assessment because it allows the implementation of the spatially and thematically distributed models used. The software also allows the automated application of the method by creating a model that processes, analyzes, and displays data in the form of maps. The model proposed was shown to be able to support the territorial planning and the appropriate management of an emergency due to natural catastrophes such as floods and landslides. The priority intervention elements can be defined as those with higher values of integrity and functionality (the most efficient rescue units) and the elements which need intervention are most affected by systemic vulnerability (the most damaged nodes).