Earthquake Risk Sensitivity Mapping at the Local Level for Sustainable RSLUP

Abstract Risk-Sensitive Land Use Planning (RSLUP) is the process of mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and management parameters in land use planning. To ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of RSLUP, it is necessary to identify and understand the existing risk sensitivity of the land use plan. This research aims to develop a GIS-based multi-criteria zoning approach for mapping earthquake risk sensitivity of land use at local level. The methodology applied in this research is comprised of two steps. Firstly, assessment of the spatial earthquake risk sensitivity of the land use of an area based on the risk themes and corresponding risk attributes including both natural characteristics as well as built environment factors. Secondly, mapping of earthquake risk sensitivity by overlaying the spatial risk attribute maps based on weights determined through the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP). The research findings show that risk sensitivity map provides a guideline for policymakers to understand “where” and “why” RSLUP interventions are necessary. This research contributes to the theory and practices of disaster risk reduction and management by proposing a risk sensitivity assessment and mapping methodology. This will facilitate RSLUP at local level as a decision support system ensuring sustainability by reflecting the risk sensitivity accordingly and effectively.