IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i11p8777-d1158792.html

A Spatial Decision Support System for Modeling Urban Resilience to Natural Hazards

Author

Listed:
  • Hamid Rezaei

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA)

  • Elżbieta Macioszek

    (Department of Transport Systems, Traffic Engineering and Logistics, Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 40-019 Katowice, Poland)

  • Parisa Derakhshesh

    (Department of Urban Design, Faculty of Engineering, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 1651153511, Iran)

  • Hassan Houshyar

    (Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Science, Payame Noor University, Tehran 193954697, Iran)

  • Elias Ghabouli

    (Department of Urban Planning & Design, Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115, Iran)

  • Amir Reza Bakhshi Lomer

    (Department of Geography, Birkbeck, University of London, London WC1E 7HX, UK)

  • Ronak Ghanbari

    (Department of Computer Science, Atmospheric and Environmental Research Lab, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA)

  • Abdulsalam Esmailzadeh

    (Department of Social Planning, Faculty of Social Science, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran 1544915113, Iran)

Abstract

A major component of urban management is studying and evaluating urban resilience in order to minimize the effects of natural hazards. This is because of the increasing number of natural hazards occurring worldwide. A spatial decision support system is presented for modeling urban resilience and selecting resilient zones in response to natural hazards. This system is implemented based on 22 criteria, grouped into three categories: demographics, infrastructure, and environmental. The criteria are then standardized using minimum and maximum methods, and their importance is determined by the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The resilience maps in various scenarios are prepared using the ordered weighted average (OWA) method. Flow accumulation (distance from fault), vulnerable population density (vulnerable population density), and distance from road network (material type) were regarded as the most important criteria for flood resilience (earthquake resilience) from environmental, demographic, and infrastructure criteria, respectively. There are different areas that are considered to have very low resilience depending on the risk attitude. According a pessimistic scenario, 1% of Tehran’s area has very low resilience, while according to an optimistic scenario, 38% has very low resilience. This system can be used by urban planners and policymakers for the purpose of improving resilience to natural hazards in low-resilience areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Hamid Rezaei & Elżbieta Macioszek & Parisa Derakhshesh & Hassan Houshyar & Elias Ghabouli & Amir Reza Bakhshi Lomer & Ronak Ghanbari & Abdulsalam Esmailzadeh, 2023. "A Spatial Decision Support System for Modeling Urban Resilience to Natural Hazards," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-18, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:11:p:8777-:d:1158792
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/11/8777/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/11/8777/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bakhtiar Feizizadeh & Thomas Blaschke, 2013. "GIS-multicriteria decision analysis for landslide susceptibility mapping: comparing three methods for the Urmia lake basin, Iran," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 65(3), pages 2105-2128, February.
    2. Shorabeh, Saman Nadizadeh & Firozjaei, Hamzeh Karimi & Firozjaei, Mohammad Karimi & Jelokhani-Niaraki, Mohammadreza & Homaee, Mehdi & Nematollahi, Omid, 2022. "The site selection of wind energy power plant using GIS-multi-criteria evaluation from economic perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    3. Yamei Wang & Zhongwu Li & Zhenghong Tang & Guangming Zeng, 2011. "A GIS-Based Spatial Multi-Criteria Approach for Flood Risk Assessment in the Dongting Lake Region, Hunan, Central China," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(13), pages 3465-3484, October.
    4. Hwikyung Chun & Seokho Chi & Bon Gang Hwang, 2017. "A Spatial Disaster Assessment Model of Social Resilience Based on Geographically Weighted Regression," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-16, December.
    5. Hasan Zabihi & Mohsen Alizadeh & Philip Kibet Langat & Mohammadreza Karami & Himan Shahabi & Anuar Ahmad & Mohamad Nor Said & Saro Lee, 2019. "GIS Multi-Criteria Analysis by Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA): Toward an Integrated Citrus Management Strategy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-17, February.
    6. Soha A. Mohamed & Mohamed E. El-Raey, 2020. "Vulnerability assessment for flash floods using GIS spatial modeling and remotely sensed data in El-Arish City, North Sinai, Egypt," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 102(2), pages 707-728, June.
    7. Shorabeh, Saman Nadizadeh & Firozjaei, Mohammad Karimi & Nematollahi, Omid & Firozjaei, Hamzeh Karimi & Jelokhani-Niaraki, Mohammadreza, 2019. "A risk-based multi-criteria spatial decision analysis for solar power plant site selection in different climates: A case study in Iran," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 958-973.
    8. Javed Mallick, 2021. "Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Site Selection Based on Fuzzy-AHP and Geoinformation Techniques in Asir Region Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-29, February.
    9. Alessandro Bosisio & Matteo Moncecchi & Andrea Morotti & Marco Merlo, 2021. "Machine Learning and GIS Approach for Electrical Load Assessment to Increase Distribution Networks Resilience," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-23, July.
    10. Jacek Malczewski, 2006. "Integrating multicriteria analysis and geographic information systems: the ordered weighted averaging (OWA) approach," International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 6(1/2), pages 7-19.
    11. Amir Reza Bakhshi Lomer & Mahdi Rezaeian & Hamid Rezaei & Akbar Lorestani & Naeim Mijani & Mohammadreza Mahdad & Ahmad Raeisi & Jamal Jokar Arsanjani, 2023. "Optimizing Emergency Shelter Selection in Earthquakes Using a Risk-Driven Large Group Decision-Making Support System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-19, February.
    12. Firozjaei, Mohammad Karimi & Nematollahi, Omid & Mijani, Naeim & Shorabeh, Saman Nadizadeh & Firozjaei, Hamzeh Karimi & Toomanian, Ara, 2019. "An integrated GIS-based Ordered Weighted Averaging analysis for solar energy evaluation in Iran: Current conditions and future planning," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 1130-1146.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Mahdi Bitarafan & Kambod Amini Hosseini & Sarfaraz Hashemkhani Zolfani & Keramatollah Ziari, 2026. "Evaluating earthquake resilience in urban areas: A novel fuzzy RANCOM approach," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 28(1), pages 2483-2520, January.
    2. Bahare Moradi & Rojin Akbari & Seyedeh Reyhaneh Taghavi & Farnaz Fardad & Abdulsalam Esmailzadeh & Mohammad Zia Ahmadi & Sina Attarroshan & Fatemeh Nickravesh & Jamal Jokar Arsanjani & Mehdi Amirkhani, 2023. "A Scenario-Based Spatial Multi-Criteria Decision-Making System for Urban Environment Quality Assessment: Case Study of Tehran," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-24, August.
    3. Mohammad Ebrahimi Sirizi & Esmaeil Taghavi Zirvani & Abdulsalam Esmailzadeh & Jafar Khosravian & Reyhaneh Ahmadi & Naeim Mijani & Reyhaneh Soltannia & Jamal Jokar Arsanjani, 2023. "A Scenario-Based Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach for Allocation of Pistachio Processing Facilities: A Case Study of Zarand, Iran," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-21, October.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Bahare Moradi & Rojin Akbari & Seyedeh Reyhaneh Taghavi & Farnaz Fardad & Abdulsalam Esmailzadeh & Mohammad Zia Ahmadi & Sina Attarroshan & Fatemeh Nickravesh & Jamal Jokar Arsanjani & Mehdi Amirkhani, 2023. "A Scenario-Based Spatial Multi-Criteria Decision-Making System for Urban Environment Quality Assessment: Case Study of Tehran," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-24, August.
    2. Moghaddam, Hossein Azizi & Shorabeh, Saman Nadizadeh, 2022. "Designing and implementing a location-based model to identify areas suitable for multi-renewable energy development for supplying electricity to agricultural wells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 1251-1264.
    3. Shorabeh, Saman Nadizadeh & Samany, Najmeh Neysani & Minaei, Foad & Firozjaei, Hamzeh Karimi & Homaee, Mehdi & Boloorani, Ali Darvishi, 2022. "A decision model based on decision tree and particle swarm optimization algorithms to identify optimal locations for solar power plants construction in Iran," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 56-67.
    4. Amir Reza Bakhshi Lomer & Mahdi Rezaeian & Hamid Rezaei & Akbar Lorestani & Naeim Mijani & Mohammadreza Mahdad & Ahmad Raeisi & Jamal Jokar Arsanjani, 2023. "Optimizing Emergency Shelter Selection in Earthquakes Using a Risk-Driven Large Group Decision-Making Support System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-19, February.
    5. Geovanna Villacreses & Diego Jijón & Juan Francisco Nicolalde & Javier Martínez-Gómez & Franz Betancourt, 2022. "Multicriteria Decision Analysis of Suitable Location for Wind and Photovoltaic Power Plants on the Galápagos Islands," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-23, December.
    6. Mohammadreza Salehipour & Nasrin Kazemi & Jamal Jokar Arsanjani & Mohammad Karimi Firozjaei, 2025. "Developing a Multi-Criteria Decision Model to Unlock Sustainable Heritage Tourism Potential," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-26, April.
    7. Shorabeh, Saman Nadizadeh & Firozjaei, Mohammad Karimi & Nematollahi, Omid & Firozjaei, Hamzeh Karimi & Jelokhani-Niaraki, Mohammadreza, 2019. "A risk-based multi-criteria spatial decision analysis for solar power plant site selection in different climates: A case study in Iran," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 958-973.
    8. Rohollah Asgari Gandomani & Amir Rahimi & Leila Shahbazpour & Jamal Jokar Arsanjani, 2025. "Spatial Justice and Accessibility: Optimizing Sports Facility Allocation in Tehran," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-26, June.
    9. Shorabeh, Saman Nadizadeh & Firozjaei, Hamzeh Karimi & Firozjaei, Mohammad Karimi & Jelokhani-Niaraki, Mohammadreza & Homaee, Mehdi & Nematollahi, Omid, 2022. "The site selection of wind energy power plant using GIS-multi-criteria evaluation from economic perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    10. Davoud Shahpari Sani & Mohammad Taghi Heidari & Hossein Tahmasebi Mogaddam & Saman Nadizadeh Shorabeh & Saman Yousefvand & Anahita Karmpour & Jamal Jokar Arsanjani, 2022. "An Assessment of Social Resilience against Natural Hazards through Multi-Criteria Decision Making in Geographical Setting: A Case Study of Sarpol-e Zahab, Iran," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-22, July.
    11. Lidia Yadira Perez-Aguilar & Wenseslao Plata-Rocha & Sergio Alberto Monjardin-Armenta & Cuauhtémoc Franco-Ochoa, 2022. "Aridity Analysis Using a Prospective Geospatial Simulation Model in This Mid-Century for the Northwest Region of Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-22, November.
    12. Tercan, Emre & Eymen, Abdurrahman & Urfalı, Tuğrul & Saracoglu, Burak Omer, 2021. "A sustainable framework for spatial planning of photovoltaic solar farms using GIS and multi-criteria assessment approach in Central Anatolia, Turkey," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    13. Bimal Kumar Dora & Sunil Bhat & Arghya Mitra & Damien Ernst & Adrian Halinka & Daria Zychma & Pawel Sowa, 2025. "The Global Electricity Grid: A Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-39, February.
    14. Firozjaei, Hamzeh Karimi & Firozjaei, Mohammad Karimi & Nematollahi, Omid & Kiavarz, Majid & Alavipanah, Seyed Kazem, 2020. "On the effect of geographical, topographic and climatic conditions on feed-in tariff optimization for solar photovoltaic electricity generation: A case study in Iran," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 430-439.
    15. Islam, Md. Rabiul & Aziz, Md. Tareq & Alauddin, Mohammed & Kader, Zarjes & Islam, Md. Rakibul, 2024. "Site suitability assessment for solar power plants in Bangladesh: A GIS-based analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    16. Mohammad Ebrahimi Sirizi & Esmaeil Taghavi Zirvani & Abdulsalam Esmailzadeh & Jafar Khosravian & Reyhaneh Ahmadi & Naeim Mijani & Reyhaneh Soltannia & Jamal Jokar Arsanjani, 2023. "A Scenario-Based Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach for Allocation of Pistachio Processing Facilities: A Case Study of Zarand, Iran," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-21, October.
    17. Shanshan Hu & Xiangjun Cheng & Demin Zhou & Hong Zhang, 2017. "GIS-based flood risk assessment in suburban areas: a case study of the Fangshan District, Beijing," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 87(3), pages 1525-1543, July.
    18. Muhammad Atiq Ur Rehman Tariq & Cheuk Yin Wai & Nitin Muttil, 2020. "Vulnerability Assessment of Ubiquitous Cities Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-21, December.
    19. Hua Guo & Ying Jiang & Eldon Y. Li, 2025. "Enhancing Organizational Resilience in Emergency Management: A Cross-Organizational Intelligence System for Sustainable Response to Crisis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-28, May.
    20. Wu, Tai-Hsi & Chen, Chun-Yuan & Huang, Shi-Wei & Yu, Teng-To, 2025. "An integrated decision framework for landfill mining site selection using GIS, multi-criteria analysis, and optimization models," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:11:p:8777-:d:1158792. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager The email address of this maintainer does not seem to be valid anymore. Please ask MDPI Indexing Manager to update the entry or send us the correct address (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.