Flood Vulnerability Assessment Using Participatory GIS Approach

Abstract

Flood is a most frequent and risky hazard as well as a disaster in the world. In the present study, Participatory GIS (PGIS) approach has been used to assess flood vulnerability and risk. The application of Participatory GIS is common and effective where local people have the ability to accumulate knowledge and experiences. The PGIS integrates qualitative information (mental maps, public opinions) with quantitative data. The main objective of this study is to design a method of the vulnerability assessment and also for further risk analysis and management. In this study, building materials, land use map, flood depth map, population (day and night), building types of study area have been used to represent social vulnerability. For the community based study, sites or houses of the area have been selected by Random sampling method. A questionnaire has been prepared for the collection of qualitative as well as quantitative data from the people. The vulnerability maps and curves have been produced using Spatial Multi Criteria Analysis (SMCA) technique. For this, some of the invented data have used together with the existing data. The PGIS survey of the area help in obtaining many information which are needed for the assessment of vulnerability of the study area.

Keywords: Flood Vulnerability, Participatory GIS, Social Vulnerability, Random Sampling and SMCA