Multi-Criteria Earthquake Risk Sensitivity Mapping at the Local Level for Sustainable Risk-Sensitive Land Use Planning (RSLUP)

Abstract

Risk-Sensitive Land-Use Planning (RSLUP) is a critical process for integrating disaster-risk management (DRM) considerations into land-use planning, for which first it is necessary to understand the existing risk sensitivity. This study aims to develop a GIS-based multi-criteria zoning approach to mapping earthquake-risk sensitivity of land use at local level. The methodology comprises two main steps. Firstly, the spatial earthquake-risk sensitivity of land use is evaluated based on some risk themes related to development, land use, and emergency facilities. Secondly, earthquake-risk sensitivity is mapped by overlaying the spatial risk-theme maps, using weights determined through the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP). Overall, four earthquake-risk-sensitive zones were identified in the study area, ranging from high-risk-sensitive zones to low-risk-sensitive zones. This research contributes to the theory and practice of DRM by proposing a multi-criteria risk-sensitivity assessment and mapping methodology. The findings demonstrate that the risk-sensitivity map provides policymakers with a guide to identify “where” and “why” RSLUP interventions are necessary. This will serve as a decision-support system to formulate the “what” and “how” of the RSLUP at the local level, reflecting the risk sensitivity accordingly and thereby ensuring sustainability.