An Example of Vulnerability Analysis According to Disasters: Neighborhoods in the Southern Region of Izmir

This study analyzes disaster vulnerability in rural settlements in İzmir’s southern region in Türkiye. Recognizing that vulnerability significantly contributes to disaster risk, the research investigates social, economic, natural, and artificial vulnerability factors. The primary goal is to assess vulnerability levels and propose disaster-sensitive planning strategies, especially for rural settlements. This research focuses on six districts—Selçuk, Bayındır, Tire, Beydağ, Ödemiş, and Kiraz—which include 341 neighborhoods, 75% of which are rural. It aims to measure vulnerability using specific social, economic, natural, and artificial indicators, addressing risks from earthquakes, floods, and landslides. This study intends to inform future planning strategies to enhance disaster resilience at the neighborhood and district levels. The analysis employed a scoring system for vulnerability indicators, assigning weights between 0 and 1 based on risk levels. Social and economic factors were uniformly assessed across disaster types, while natural and artificial factors were evaluated separately for earthquakes, floods, and landslides. Geographic Information System (GIS) tools were used to map and visualize vulnerability scores, with statistical analyses conducted at neighborhood and district scales. The results highlight significant variability in vulnerability levels across districts and neighborhoods. Differentiated strategies are essential for addressing disaster risks in rural areas. This study recommends prioritizing districts based on their vulnerability profiles and integrating disaster-sensitive planning into regional development strategies. These findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on vulnerability analysis and rural disaster resilience planning.