Geographic information system (GIS) based disaster risk assessment: A case of Denizli

Abstract

The density increases in population and buildings which is an expected result of urbanization processes affects the sustainability of urban areas significantly and negatively. The correct spatial organization is the prerequisite for ensuring the environmental, social and economic sustainability of urban areas. The most critical step of the spatial organization is identifying of disaster risks for urban areas through interdisciplinary studies to become more resilient. Based on this point, the study aims to reveal current disaster risks in urban areas which dense population and building stock exist. Denizli city is determined as the study area. Moreover, spatial analyses are carried out by taking into account the natural and built environment elements affecting the disaster risk significantly and also using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) tools and Weighted Overlay method. As a result of spatial analyses completed using 8 basic parameters, it has been determined that while the north-west of Denizli city is in a more advantageous situation in terms of disaster risk, the center and south of the province are in a disadvantaged situation. The findings obtained from the study are evaluated comparatively with the determinations of the Provincial Disaster Response Plan and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Plan. It is obvious that the findings of study are consistent with the determinations of these plans in both city and district scale. Therefore, it has been seen that the studies in local scale carried out have been prioritized in such a way as to be oriented towards risk management and prevention planning by the time.