Abstract
Pokhara is one of the most naturally beautiful cities in the world with a unique geological setting. This important tourist city is under intense pressure from rapid urbanization and population growth. Multiple hazards and risks are rapidly increasing in Pokhara due to unsustainable land use practices, particularly the increase in built-up areas. This study examines the relationship among urbanization, land use/land cover dynamics and multiple hazard and risk analysis of the Pokhara valley from 1990 to 2013. We investigate some of the active hazards, such as floods, landslides, fire, sinkholes, land subsidence and earthquakes, and prepare an integrated multiple hazard risk map indicating the highly vulnerable zones. Land use and land cover maps from 1990 and 2013 from Landsat images (30 m resolution) have been prepared and analyzed for the spatial dynamics of urbanization and the transition of land use and land cover. In the 23-year period, the built-up area more than doubled from 24.03 km² to 54.20 km². Although the landscape in the urban, peri-urban and rural areas appears to be fragmented, different drivers play pivotal roles in landscape change in these areas. The results provide substantial information for establishing innovative action plans for disaster risk management in the valley. Recommendations are made for the most suitable places for future urban expansion in the valley. This study is important for raising awareness among policy makers and other public officials to include multiple hazard risk mitigation in land use policies and plans. Establishing connections between urban expansions, escalating population growth and multiple hazards and risk assessment will also improve in modelling the latent impact of future catastrophes and emergency preparedness.
Highlights
Disasters are split into two groups; natural hazards and human-induced disasters [1]
Secondary data were collected from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), land policy documents, topographic maps, land use plans, flood risk maps, images and other relevant maps available in published and unpublished research papers, articles, books, government documents and official records obtainable in the district office, sub-metropolitan office and municipality, as well as VDC profiles and other resources
Enchanting natural beauty, tourism activities and its unique social and cultural heritage are responsible for the present development of the town population of the Pokhara sub-metropolis
Summary
Disasters are split into two groups; natural hazards and human-induced disasters [1]. The frequency of natural hazards has grown worldwide, with the number of disasters quadrupling in the last 30 years, resulting in escalating human cost and economic losses [3,4]. Land use/land cover change is directly proportional to increases in natural and socio-economic activities. Land use is the human use of land involving the management and modification of the natural environment or wilderness into a built environment, such as fields, pastures and settlements [10]. It is a continuous and inevitable process due to economic development, exploitation of natural resources and rapid population growth. Multiple hazard risk assessment refers to the process of identifying the occurrence, probability and estimation of the potential damage of various types of disasters within a specified spatio-temporal framework
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
