Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment of Urban Areas Using an Integration of Fuzzy Logic Functions: Case Study of Nasiriyah City in South Iraq

Abstract

Globally, urbanisation has been the most significant factor causing land use and land cover changes due to accelerated population growth and limited governmental regulation. Urban communities worldwide, particularly in Iraq, are on the frontline for dealing with threats associated with environmental degradation, climate change and social inequality. However, with respect to the effects of urbanization, most previous studies have overlooked ecological problems, and have disregarded strategic environmental assessment, which is an effective tool for ensuring sustainable development. This study aims to provide a comprehensive vulnerability assessment model for urban areas experiencing environmental degradation, rapid urbanisation and high population growth, to help formulate policies for urban communities and to support sustainable livelihoods in Iraq and other developing countries. The proposed model was developed by integrating three functions of fuzzy logic: the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, fuzzy linear membership and fuzzy overlay gamma. Application of the model showed that 11 neighbourhoods in the study area, and more than 175,000 individuals, or 25% of the total population, were located in very high vulnerability regions. The proposed model offers a decision support system for allocating required financial resources and efficiently implementing mitigation processes for the most vulnerable urban areas.