Tropical cyclone disaster management using remote sensing and spatial analysis: A review
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paper_title: Remote sensing assessment of forest damage in relation to the 1996 strong typhoon Herb at Lienhuachi Experimental Forest, Taiwan

paper_content:

Abstract Across wide areas of the globe, typhoon disturbance is an important component of landscape-level vegetation dynamics. We used satellite images to evaluate changes in normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) related to the 1996 typhoon Herb at Lienhuachi Experimental Forest (LHCEF) in central Taiwan. NDVI decreased from 0.89 before typhoon Herb to 0.82 afterwards. NDVI decrease associated with typhoon Herb was only 0.03 (0.93–0.90), at a site in northeastern Taiwan, despite the fact that the typhoon passed directly over northeastern Taiwan. This observation fits the global pattern of comparable storms generating greater damage in less frequently impacted forests than in forests which are impacted more frequently. Topography affected patterns of typhoon damages at LHCEF with the greatest NDVI losses occurring at higher elevations and on west-facing (windward) slopes. Unlike previous studies in North and Central America and in northeastern Taiwan that found greater typhoon/hurricane damages in even-aged conifer stands than in native hardwood forests, NDVI decrease associated with typhoon Herb was greater in the natural hardwood forest (0.08) than the conifer plantation (0.06) at LHCEF. This result suggests that natural forests are not necessarily less vulnerable to typhoon disturbance.
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paper_title: Emerging geo-information technologies (GIT) for natural disaster management in Pakistan: an overview

paper_content:

Geo-information Technologies (GIT) are playing a significant role for an efficient management of natural disasters all over the world. Among them space technologies are prominent for geo-information acquisition in an efficient and timely manner. This paper is focused on the potential uses of GIT for natural disaster management with particular examples in Pakistan which is vulnerable to various natural hazards and disasters, such as droughts, floods, earthquakes, landslides, cyclones etc; are causing a devastating impact on human life, economy and environment. The GIT includes Remote Sensing (RS), Geographical Information Systems (GIS), GPS, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) etc. The use of remote sensing and GIS has become an integrated, well developed and successful tool in disaster management. Spatial analysis of hazard is a complex task, as a number of factors play important role in the occurrence of the disastrous event. Therefore, analysis requires a large number of input parameters for pre-disaster, disaster and post-disaster phases. The increased availability of Remote Sensing data and GIS functionalities in these times have created opportunities for a more detailed and rapid analysis of natural hazards. These enabling technologies are also the core of comprehensive natural disaster management system that covers disaster's monitoring, modeling, mitigation, rescues operation management, and rehabilitation strategies development etc. It is almost impossible to fully control the disasters, but a suitable strategy can be developed for disasters management using GIT in conjunction with conventional techniques. Numerous projects have been initiated in the country for these purposes. The proper structure of information system for disaster management should be available to tackle the disaster and to integrate all the data sets in all such projects.
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paper_title: Advances in research and forecasting of tropical cyclones from 1963–2013

paper_content:

A review of progress over the past 50 years in observing and forecasting of tropical cyclones is presented. Tremendous progress has been made in track forecasting in the past 20 years with the improvement in numerical model guidance and the use of consensus forecasting, and this has contributed to a number of warning centers now issuing five-day track forecasts that are as accurate as three-day forecasts of a decade ago. Techniques are now available to specify the track forecast uncertainty for assessing the risk of a tropical cyclone. With the advent of five-day forecasts, a focus on improved understanding of formation has led to two field experiments. A recent advance has been in extended-range (5–30 days) forecasts of tropical cyclone events (formations and tracks) in the western North Pacific from the ECMWF 32-day ensemble predictions. This advance is a contribution to a goal of seamless forecasting from one day to a season for tropical cyclones. Little progress has been made in intensity forecasting, although the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Project in the United States and recent field experiments may offer some future advances. Some advances in forecasting tropical cyclone impacts such as storm surge, surface waves, and precipitation have been achieved. Future opportunities for continued advances are possible such that improved warnings can lead to reductions in losses of lives and minimizing damages from tropical cyclones.
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paper_title: Disaster in Bangladesh and management with advanced information system

paper_content:

Purpose – This paper aims to document a case study of a disaster in Bangladesh and the role of an information management system for disaster management planning.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a methodology that considers perceptions or constructions – including the role of information systems – to be dependent on the social and cultural structures, which is helpful in reducing destruction in disaster‐prone areas.Findings – Advances in information technology in the form of the internet, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, satellite communication, etc. are beneficial in many aspects of the planning and implementation of hazard reduction arrangements.Research limitations/implications – Natural disasters strike countries, both developed and developing, cause enormous destruction and create human suffering, and have negative impacts on national economies. Bangladesh suffers regularly and frequently from disasters like floods, cyclone storms, tidal surges, river bank erosion and ...
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paper_title: Capabilities of Using Remote Sensing and GIS for Tropical Cyclones Forecasting, Monitoring, and Damage Assessment

paper_content:

Natural Disasters occur frequently around the world, and their incidence and intensity seem to be increasing in recent years. The disasters such as floods and cyclones often cause significant loss of life, large-scale economic and social impacts, and environmental damage. For example, Cyclone Gonu was the strongest tropical cyclone on record in the Arabian Sea, and tied for the strongest tropical cyclone on record in the northern Indian Ocean and was the strongest named cyclone in this basin. On June 5 it made landfall on the eastern-most tip of Oman with winds of 150 km/h (90 mph). Gonu dropped heavy rainfall near the eastern coastline, reaching up to 610 mm (24 in.), which caused flooding and heavy damage. The cyclone caused about $4 billion in damage and nearly 50 deaths in Oman, where the cyclone was considered the nation’s worst natural disaster. Planning to mitigate the impact of such incidents has become even more critical, given the prediction of increased climatic extremes associated with an “enhanced greenhouse effect.” UN stressed the need for special attention to be given to planning ahead for natural disasters and to reducing long-term vulnerability in those countries at highest risk. It is quite obvious that space technology inputs are crucial for disaster management as it is the only means to obtain needed real-time data in remote and inaccessible areas. Satellite systems are the only tools that remain unaffected by the disasters for assessing the vulnerability of the region (Fig. 1). Therefore, using remote sensing with the help of geographic information system (GIS) for tropical cyclones forecasting, monitoring, and damage assessment can play a significant role for planning to alleviate such consequences caused by tropical cyclones (Fig. 2).
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paper_title: Coastal inundation and damage exposure estimation: a case study for Jakarta

paper_content:

Coastal flooding poses serious threats to coastal areas, and the vulnerability of coastal communities and economic sectors to flooding will increase in the coming decades due to environmental and socioeconomic changes. It is increasingly recognised that estimates of the vulnerability of cities are essential for planning adaptation measures. Jakarta is a case in point, since parts of the city are subjected to regular flooding on a near-monthly basis. In order to assess the current and future coastal flood hazard, we set up a GIS-based flood model of northern Jakarta to simulate inundated area and value of exposed assets. Under current conditions, estimated damage exposure to extreme coastal flood events with return periods of 100 and 1,000 years is high (€4.0 and €5.2 billion, respectively). Under the scenario for 2100, damage exposure associated with these events increases by a factor 4–5, with little difference between low/high sea-level rise scenarios. This increase is mainly due to rapid land subsidence and excludes socioeconomic developments. We also develop a detemporalised inundation scenario for assessing impacts associated with any coastal flood scenario. This allows for the identification of critical points above which large increases in damage exposure can be expected and also for the assessment of adaptation options against hypothetical user-defined levels of change, rather than being bound to a discrete set of a priori scenarios. The study highlights the need for urgent attention to the land subsidence problem; a continuation of the current rate would result in catastrophic increases in damage exposure.
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paper_title: Tropical Cyclone Activity over the Indian Ocean in the Warmer Climate

paper_content:

Research efforts focussed on assessing the potential for changes in tropical cyclone activity in the greenhouse-warmed climate have progressed since the IPCC (Inter-Governmental Panel for Climate Change) assessment in 1996. Vulnerability to tropical cyclones (TCs) becoming more pronounced due to the fastest population growth in tropical coastal regions makes it practically important to explore possible changes in tropical cyclone activity due to global warming.
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paper_title: A review of the status of satellite remote sensing and image processing techniques for mapping natural hazards and disasters

paper_content:

In the event of a natural disaster, remote sensing is a valuable source of spatial information and its utility has been proven on many occasions around the world. However, there are many different types of hazards experienced worldwide on an annual basis and their remote sensing solutions are equally varied. This paper addresses a number of data types and image processing techniques used to map and monitor earthquakes, faulting, volcanic activity, landslides, fl ooding, and wildfi re, and the damages associated with each. Remote sensing is currently used operationally for some monitoring programs, though there are also diffi culties associated with the rapid acquisition of data and provision of a robust product to emergency services as an end-user. The current status of remote sensing as a rapid-response data source is discussed, and some perspectives given on emerging airborne and satellite technologies.
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paper_title: Tropical cyclone track forecasting techniques ― A review

paper_content:

Delivering accurate cyclone forecasts in time is of key importance when it comes to saving human lives and reducing economic loss. Difficulties arise because the geographical and climatological cha ...
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paper_title: Digital elevation based flood hazard and vulnerability study at various return periods in Sirajganj Sadar Upazila, Bangladesh

paper_content:

The objectives of the study are flood hazard mapping and crops and settlement vulnerability assessment in a low laying riverine flood prone area of Bangladesh for different flood magnitudes. Flood hazard maps have been developed for different flood magnitudes integrating the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data of Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) and interpolation of water level height of different water stations. Frequency analysis has been carried out to determine the water level of 2.33, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100-year return periods flood. Landuse or land cover map has been generated from the LANDSAT satellite images supervised classification. Vulnerability functions of risk elements and flood hazard maps are analyzed in GIS environment to develop vulnerability maps. Most of the settlement vulnerable areas were found in low laying lands from the settlement and crops vulnerability maps. This flood hazard vulnerability map can be used for selecting the type of crops and area for cultivation during the monsoon period on the basis of magnitudes of inundation of different flood zones.
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paper_title: Assessing tropical cyclone impacts using object-based moderate spatial resolution image analysis: a case study in Bangladesh

paper_content:

The environmental and societal impacts of tropical cyclones could be reduced using a range of management initiatives. Remote sensing can be a cost effective, accurate, and potential tool for mapping the multiple impacts caused by tropical cyclones using high-to-moderate spatial resolution 5–30 m satellite imagery to provide data on the following essential parameters – evacuation, relief, and management of natural resources. This study developed and evaluated an approach for assessing the impacts of tropical cyclones through object-based image analysis and moderate spatial resolution imagery. Pre-and post-cyclone maps of artificial and natural features are required for assessing the overall impacts in the landscape that could be acquired by mapping specific land cover types. We used the object-based approach to map land-cover types in pre-and post-cyclone Satellite Pour l’Observation de la Terre SPOT 5 image data and the post-classification comparison technique to identify changes in the particular features in the landscape. Cyclone Sidr 2007 was used to test the applicability of this approach in Sarankhola Upazila in Bangladesh. The object-based approach provided accurate results for classifying features from pre-and post-cyclone satellite images with an overall accuracy of 95.43% and 93.27%, respectively. Mapped changes identified the extent, type, and form of cyclone induced impacts. Our results indicate that 63.15% of the study area was significantly affected by cyclone Sidr. The majority of mapped damage was found in vegetation, cropped lands, settlements, and infrastructure. The damage results were verified through the high spatial resolution satellite imagery, reports and pictures that were taken after the cyclone. The methods developed may be used in future to assess the multiple impacts caused by tropical cyclones in Bangladesh and other similar environments for the purposes of tropical cyclone disaster management.
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paper_title: Risk assessment on storm surges in the coastal area of Guangdong Province

paper_content:

The coastal area of Guangdong Province is one of the most developed regions in China. It is also often under severe risk of storm surges, as one of the few regions in China which are seriously threatened by storm surges. Based on the data of storm surges in the study area in the past 30 years, the return periods of 18 tide stations for storm surge are calculated separately. Using the spatial analysis technology of ArcGIS, combined with the topography data of the study area, the submerged scope for storm surge in the coastal area of Guangdong Province is determined, and the hazard assessment is carried out. According to the view of systematic point, this article quotes the result of vulnerability assessment which was done by the author in the previous research. Based on the hazard evaluation and vulnerability evaluation, risk assessment of storm surges in the study region is done, and the risk zoning map is drawn. According to the assessment, Zhuhai, Panyu and Taishan are classified as the highest risk to storm surges in Guangdong Province; Yangdong, Yangjiang and Haifeng are in higher risk to storm surges; Dongguan, Jiangmen, Baoan and Huidong are in middle risk to storm surges; Zhongshan, Enping, Shanwei, Huiyang, Longgang and Shenzhen are in lower risk of storm surges; Guangzhou, Shunde and Kaiping are in the lowest risk to storm surges. This study builds a complete process for risk assessment of storm surges. It reveals the risk of storm surges in the coastal cities, and it would guide the land use of coastal cities in the future and provide scientific advices to the government for the prevention and mitigation of storm surge disaster. It has important theoretical and practical significance. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
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paper_title: Geospatial Analysis for Coastal Risk Assessment to Cyclones

paper_content:

Cyclone is one of the major coastal hazards affecting the Indian coastline bringing floods and widespread damage due to rain, storm surges and heavy winds. Hence, coastal risk assessment is essential to identify the threats to the land and population, from cyclones. The risk assessment has been carried out in northern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, for the stretch from Kattivakkam to Kovalam. Risk is the probability of expected losses from a given hazard and it varies according to the vulnerability of the region. The risk assessment has been structured in four components, namely, Environmental Vulnerability, Social Vulnerability, Hazard Potential and Mitigation Capacity. The thematic layers and hazard maps are created using Satellite data and Geographic Information System. Coastal risk indices are generated for each component of risk using Analytic Hierarchy Process. Based on the index value, the level of risk is mapped and the results help in faster and appropriate decision making.
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paper_title: Comparison of remote sensing change detection techniques for assessing hurricane damage to forests

paper_content:

This study compared performance of four change detection algorithms with six vegetation indices derived from pre- and post-Katrina Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery and a composite of the TM bands 4, 5, and 3 in order to select an optimal remote sensing technique for identifying forestlands disturbed by Hurricane Katrina. The algorithms included univariate image differencing (UID), selective principal component analysis (PCA), change vector analysis (CVA), and postclassification comparison (PCC). The indices consisted of near-infrared to red ratios, normalized difference vegetation index, Tasseled Cap index of greenness, brightness, and wetness (TCW), and soil-adjusted vegetation index. In addition to the satellite imagery, the “ground truth” data of forest damage were also collected through field investigation and interpretation of post-Katrina aerial photos. Disturbed forests were identified by classifying the composite and the continuous change imagery with the supervised classification method. Results showed that the change detection techniques exerted apparent influence on detection results with an overall accuracy varying between 51% and 86% and a kappa statistics ranging from 0.02 to 0.72. Detected areas of disturbed forestlands were noticeable in two groups: 180,832–264,617 and 85,861–124,205 ha. The landscape of disturbed forests also displayed two unique patterns, depending upon the area group. The PCC algorithm along with the composite image contributed the highest accuracy and lowest error (0.5%) in estimating areas of disturbed forestlands. Both UID and CVA performed similarly, but caution should be taken when using selective PCA in detecting hurricane disturbance to forests. Among the six indices, TCW outperformed the other indices owing to its maximum sensitivity to forest modification. This study suggested that compared with the detection algorithms, proper selection of vegetation indices was more critical for obtaining satisfactory results.
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paper_title: The Role of Remote Sensing in Predicting and Determining Coastal Storm Impacts

paper_content:

Abstract Storm-induced flooding and other damage present a major problem as the coastal population continues to increase rapidly and sea level keeps rising. To predict the path and landfall of a hurricane or other coastal storm and assess the damage, emergency managers and scientists need continuous information on the storm's path, strength, predicted landfall, and expected damage over large areas. Satellite and airborne remote sensors can provide the required information in a timely and reliable way, as demonstrated by a case study of hurricane Katrina's impact on New Orleans and surrounding areas. Satellite images and hurricane hunter planes were used to track hurricane Katrina, with modelers predicting accurately its path, strength, surge level, and landfall location. Shore-based radars were used to confirm the data as the hurricane approached land. Medium- and high-resolution satellite sensors, helicopters, and aircraft were employed to assess damage to the city, including transportation, power, and c...
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paper_title: Normalized Hurricane Damage in the United States: 1900-2005

paper_content:

After more than two decades of relatively little Atlantic hurricane activity, the past decade saw heightened hurricane activity and more than $150 billion in damage in 2004 and 2005. This paper normalizes mainland U.S. hurricane damage from 1900-2005 to 2005 values using two methodologies. A normalization provides an estimate of the damage that would occur if storms from the past made landfall under another year's societal conditions. Our methods use changes in inflation and wealth at the national level and changes in population and housing units at the coastal county level. Across both normalization methods, there is no remaining trend of increasing absolute damage in the data set, which follows the lack of trends in landfall frequency or intensity observed over the twentieth century. The 1970s and 1980s were notable because of the extremely low amounts of damage compared to other decades. The decade 1996-2005 has the second most damage among the past 11 decades, with only the decade 1926-1935 surpassing its costs. Over the 106 years of record, the average annual normalized damage in the continental United States is about $10 billion under both methods. The most damaging single storm is the 1926 Great Miami storm, with $140-157 billion of normalized damage: the most damaging years are 1926 and 2005. Of the total damage, about 85% is accounted for by the intense hurricanes Saffir-Simpson Categories 3, 4, and 5, yet these have comprised only 24% of the U.S. landfalling tropical cyclones. Unless action is taken to address the growing concentration of people and properties in coastal areas where hurricanes strike, damage will increase, and by a great deal, as more and wealthier people increasingly inhabit these coastal locations.
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paper_title: Composite risk assessment of typhoon-induced disaster for China’s coastal area

paper_content:

Typhoons, as one of the most devastating natural hazards in China’s coastal area, have caused considerable personal injury and property damage throughout history. An indicator system which included two aspects of hazard and vulnerability with 14 indicators was built up for composite risk assessment of typhoon-induced disaster. The analytic hierarchy process was used to calculate the weight of each indicator, and the composite risk assessment model was then built up. The results indicated that there were no very high- or very low-risk areas in China’s coastal area. Out of the 18,000-km-long China land coastline, 30.99 % was at low risk, mostly along the coastal hill–mountain zone, Hainan and Guangxi coast; the major part (62.71 %) of the coastal area was classified as at moderate risk. Although only 6.30 % of the total was at high risk, the affected area was mainly distributed in Tianjin, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, the three main deltas with low topography, a highly developed economy, and a very dense population.
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paper_title: Historical Global Tropical Cyclone Landfalls*

paper_content:

AbstractIn recent decades, economic damage from tropical cyclones (TCs) around the world has increased dramatically. Scientific literature published to date finds that the increase in losses can be explained entirely by societal changes (such as increasing wealth, structures, population, etc.) in locations prone to tropical cyclone landfalls, rather than by changes in annual storm frequency or intensity. However, no homogenized dataset of global tropical cyclone landfalls has been created that might serve as a consistency check for such economic normalization studies. Using currently available historical TC best-track records, a global database focused on hurricane-force strength landfalls was constructed. The analysis does not indicate significant long-period global or individual basin trends in the frequency or intensity of landfalling TCs of minor or major hurricane strength. The evidence in this study provides strong support for the conclusion that increasing damage around the world during the past se...
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paper_title: Epidemiology of tropical cyclones: the dynamics of disaster, disease, and development.

paper_content:

Tropical cyclones—variously defined as hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones—regularly impact human populations and periodically produce devastating weather-related natural disasters. The epidemiology of tropical cyclones is fundamentally determined by the physical forces of massive cyclonic systems intersecting with patterns of human behavior. The destructive forces of cyclonic winds, inundating rains, and storm surge are frequently accompanied by floods, tornadoes, and landslides (1, 2). Human factors include land use and settlement patterns, building design and construction, forecasting and warning systems, risk perception, evacuation, and sheltering. Preparedness and mitigation strategies for minimizing harm include family disaster planning, stocking of hurricane supplies, protection of home sites, timely response to public warnings, and alertness to poststorm hazards. ::: ::: Public health consequences associated with tropical cyclones include storm-related mortality, injury, infectious disease, psychosocial effects, displacement and homelessness, damage to the health-care infrastructure, disruption of public health services, transformation of ecosystems, social dislocation, loss of jobs and livelihood, and economic crisis. These outcomes disproportionately befall developing nations, and human factors strongly influence the observed disparities (3).
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paper_title: Disaster preparedness for sustainable development in Bangladesh

paper_content:

Purpose – Bangladesh is one of the most disaster‐prone countries in the world. Natural disasters adversely affect the country's economy and deter its development. Thus preparedness for the disasters, along with effective prevention and mitigation measures, is imperative for sustainable development of the country. The purpose of this paper is to examine the present state of disaster preparedness in the country with special attention to the more frequent and damaging disasters – flood and cyclone.Design/methodology/approach – A detailed study of the effects of natural disasters, disaster prevention and mitigation measures, and institutional setting for disaster preparedness was undertaken.Findings – Plans and programs have been formulated to manage natural disasters. In a “Cyclone Preparedness Program”, trained volunteers facilitate emergency response and proper use of the multi‐purpose shelters. Within an institutional framework for disaster management, several Non‐Government Organizations (NGOs) work for ...
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paper_title: Hurricane Katrina-induced forest damage in relation to ecological factors at landscape scale

paper_content:

Forest stand stability to strong winds such as hurricanes has been found to be associated with a number of forest, soil and topography factors. In this study, through applying geographic information system (GIS) and logit regression, we assessed effects of forest characteristics and site conditions on pattern, severity and probability of Hurricane Katrina disturbance to forests in the Lower Pearl River Valley, USA. The factors included forest type, forest coverage, stand density, soil great group, elevation, slope, aspect, and stream buffer zone. Results showed that Hurricane Katrina damaged 60% of the total forested land in the region. The distribution and intensity of the hurricane disturbance varied across the landscape, with the bottomland hardwood forests on river floodplains most severely affected. All these factors had a variety of effects on vulnerability of the forests to the hurricane disturbance and thereby spatial patterns of the disturbance. Soil groups and stand factors including forest types, forest coverage and stand density contributed to 85% of accuracy in modeling the probability of the hurricane disturbance to forests in this region. Besides assessment of Katrina's damage, this study elucidates the great usefulness of remote sensing and GIS techniques combined with statistics modeling in assessment of large-scale risks of hurricane damage to coastal forests.
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paper_title: Deterministic and probabilistic flood modeling for contemporary and future coastal and inland precipitation inundation

paper_content:

Abstract While hazard mitigation lowers hazard impacts, communities cannot mitigate all possible risks. Targeting mitigation allows agencies with limited resources to mitigate areas within a community where hazard impacts are highest. To target these areas effectively, better hazard modeling is needed to provide more accurate hazard extents to pinpoint mitigation and conduct more complete vulnerability assessments. Deterministic models are useful for developing mitigation policies based on their hazard identification and exposure outputs in vulnerability analyses, but are limited because they do not calculate risk. Probabilistic models provide more information about the range of risk allowing decision makers to target mitigation and land-use management focuses toward areas of higher risk. Deterministic models used in conjunction with probabilistic models can also be used to perform all three levels of vulnerability assessment and produce more complete hazard modeling extents, which is something not traditionally done. To explore the need for the use of probabilistic models in conjunction with deterministic modeling, research presented here creates a theoretical framework for a stochastic storm surge model using deterministic hazard extents that depict coastal hazard inundation, using Sarasota County, Florida as a case study. The deterministic hazard extents are created for use in multiscalar vulnerability assessments that simulate storm surge, inland precipitation and sea-level rise (SLR) to depict holistic coastal hazard inundation. The deterministic extents also provide higher-resolution hazard identification that can aid local decision makers targeting high-risk areas, not all exposed areas.
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paper_title: Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques for Natural Disaster Monitoring

paper_content:

On 26 Dec 2004, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurred off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Over 300,000 people lost their lives in this disaster. Areas near to the epicentre in Indonesia, especially Aceh, were devastated by the earthquake and tsunamis.
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paper_title: Spatial vulnerability assessment of floods in the coastal regions of Bangladesh

paper_content:

Vulnerability assessment is considered as a key step towards effective disaster risk reduction. It is multi-dimensional, and its assessment is complicated due to the social, economic, political, and institutional patterns of societies. The demand for comprehensive vulnerability assessments including a spatial differentiation of vulnerability is high. In this study, a methodology for the spatial vulnerability assessment of floods in the coastal regions of Bangladesh is developed. For a 706 km2 area in the Sundarbans Reserve Forest and its surroundings 12 vulnerability domains are defined and 44 indicators are developed. These indicators are ranked by 20 local experts through an analytic hierarchy process (AHP). All data-sets are transformed into 100 m resolution raster (grid) data-sets in a geographic information system (GIS). This grid approach surmounts the problems of data availability and different data scales, and allows the inclusion of indicators for the social dimension. A spatial vulnerability ass...
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paper_title: Emerging geo-information technologies (GIT) for natural disaster management in Pakistan: an overview

paper_content:

Geo-information Technologies (GIT) are playing a significant role for an efficient management of natural disasters all over the world. Among them space technologies are prominent for geo-information acquisition in an efficient and timely manner. This paper is focused on the potential uses of GIT for natural disaster management with particular examples in Pakistan which is vulnerable to various natural hazards and disasters, such as droughts, floods, earthquakes, landslides, cyclones etc; are causing a devastating impact on human life, economy and environment. The GIT includes Remote Sensing (RS), Geographical Information Systems (GIS), GPS, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) etc. The use of remote sensing and GIS has become an integrated, well developed and successful tool in disaster management. Spatial analysis of hazard is a complex task, as a number of factors play important role in the occurrence of the disastrous event. Therefore, analysis requires a large number of input parameters for pre-disaster, disaster and post-disaster phases. The increased availability of Remote Sensing data and GIS functionalities in these times have created opportunities for a more detailed and rapid analysis of natural hazards. These enabling technologies are also the core of comprehensive natural disaster management system that covers disaster's monitoring, modeling, mitigation, rescues operation management, and rehabilitation strategies development etc. It is almost impossible to fully control the disasters, but a suitable strategy can be developed for disasters management using GIT in conjunction with conventional techniques. Numerous projects have been initiated in the country for these purposes. The proper structure of information system for disaster management should be available to tackle the disaster and to integrate all the data sets in all such projects.
---
paper_title: Disaster in Bangladesh and management with advanced information system

paper_content:

Purpose – This paper aims to document a case study of a disaster in Bangladesh and the role of an information management system for disaster management planning.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a methodology that considers perceptions or constructions – including the role of information systems – to be dependent on the social and cultural structures, which is helpful in reducing destruction in disaster‐prone areas.Findings – Advances in information technology in the form of the internet, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, satellite communication, etc. are beneficial in many aspects of the planning and implementation of hazard reduction arrangements.Research limitations/implications – Natural disasters strike countries, both developed and developing, cause enormous destruction and create human suffering, and have negative impacts on national economies. Bangladesh suffers regularly and frequently from disasters like floods, cyclone storms, tidal surges, river bank erosion and ...
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paper_title: Capabilities of Using Remote Sensing and GIS for Tropical Cyclones Forecasting, Monitoring, and Damage Assessment

paper_content:

Natural Disasters occur frequently around the world, and their incidence and intensity seem to be increasing in recent years. The disasters such as floods and cyclones often cause significant loss of life, large-scale economic and social impacts, and environmental damage. For example, Cyclone Gonu was the strongest tropical cyclone on record in the Arabian Sea, and tied for the strongest tropical cyclone on record in the northern Indian Ocean and was the strongest named cyclone in this basin. On June 5 it made landfall on the eastern-most tip of Oman with winds of 150 km/h (90 mph). Gonu dropped heavy rainfall near the eastern coastline, reaching up to 610 mm (24 in.), which caused flooding and heavy damage. The cyclone caused about $4 billion in damage and nearly 50 deaths in Oman, where the cyclone was considered the nation’s worst natural disaster. Planning to mitigate the impact of such incidents has become even more critical, given the prediction of increased climatic extremes associated with an “enhanced greenhouse effect.” UN stressed the need for special attention to be given to planning ahead for natural disasters and to reducing long-term vulnerability in those countries at highest risk. It is quite obvious that space technology inputs are crucial for disaster management as it is the only means to obtain needed real-time data in remote and inaccessible areas. Satellite systems are the only tools that remain unaffected by the disasters for assessing the vulnerability of the region (Fig. 1). Therefore, using remote sensing with the help of geographic information system (GIS) for tropical cyclones forecasting, monitoring, and damage assessment can play a significant role for planning to alleviate such consequences caused by tropical cyclones (Fig. 2).
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paper_title: Review of Methods to Assess, Design for, and Mitigate Multiple Hazards

paper_content:

Large parts of the world are subjected to one or more natural hazards, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, tropical storms (hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons), coastal inundation, and flooding; although, many regions are also susceptible to artificial hazards. In recent decades, rapid population growth and economic development in hazard-prone areas have greatly increased the potential of multiple hazards to cause damage and destruction of buildings, bridges, power plants, and other infrastructure; thus, grave danger is posed to the community and economic and societal activities are disrupted. Although an individual hazard is significant in many parts of the United States, in certain areas more than one hazard may pose a threat to the constructed environment. In such areas, structural design and construction practices should address multiple hazards in an integrated manner to achieve structural performance that is consistent with owner expectations and general societal objectives. The growing interest and importance of multiple-hazard engineering has been recognized recently. This has spurred the evolution of multiple-hazard risk-assessment frameworks and development of design approaches, which have paved way for future research towards sustainable construction of new and improved structures and retrofitting of the existing structures. This paper provides a review of literature and the current state of practice for assessment, design and mitigation of the impact of multiple hazards on structural infrastructure. It also presents an overview of future research needs related to multiple-hazard performance of constructed facilities.
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paper_title: Mapping and monitoring geological hazards using optical, LiDAR, and synthetic aperture RADAR image data

paper_content:

Geological hazards and their effects are often geographically widespread. Consequently, their effective mapping and monitoring is best conducted using satellite and airborne imaging platforms to obtain broad scale, synoptic coverage. With a multitude of hazards and effects, potential data types, and processing techniques, it can be challenging to determine the best approach for mapping and monitoring. It is therefore critical to understand the spatial and temporal effects of any particular hazard on the environment before selecting the most appropriate data type/s and processing techniques to apply. This review is designed to assist the decision-making and selection process when embarking on a hazard mapping or monitoring exercise. It focuses on the application of optical, LiDAR, and synthetic aperture RADAR technologies for the assessment of pre-event risk and post-event damage. Geological hazards of global interest summarized here are landslides and erosion; seismic and tectonic hazards; ground subsidence; and flooding and tsunami.
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paper_title: A review of the status of satellite remote sensing and image processing techniques for mapping natural hazards and disasters

paper_content:

In the event of a natural disaster, remote sensing is a valuable source of spatial information and its utility has been proven on many occasions around the world. However, there are many different types of hazards experienced worldwide on an annual basis and their remote sensing solutions are equally varied. This paper addresses a number of data types and image processing techniques used to map and monitor earthquakes, faulting, volcanic activity, landslides, fl ooding, and wildfi re, and the damages associated with each. Remote sensing is currently used operationally for some monitoring programs, though there are also diffi culties associated with the rapid acquisition of data and provision of a robust product to emergency services as an end-user. The current status of remote sensing as a rapid-response data source is discussed, and some perspectives given on emerging airborne and satellite technologies.
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paper_title: A conceptual vulnerability and risk framework as outline to identify capabilities of remote sensing

paper_content:

Abstract. This study aims at creating a holistic conceptual approach systematizing the interrelation of (natural) hazards, vulnerability and risk. A general hierarchical risk meta-framework presents potentially affected components of a given system, such as its physical, demographic, social, economic, political or ecological spheres, depending on the particular hazard. Based on this general meta-framework, measurable indicators are specified for the system "urban area" as an example. This framework is used as an outline to identify the capabilities of remote sensing to contribute to the assessment of risk. Various indicators contributing to the outline utilizing diverse remote sensing data and methods are presented. Examples such as built-up density, main infrastructure or population distribution identify the capabilities of remote sensing within the holistic perspective of the framework. It is shown how indexing enables a multilayer analysis of the complex and small-scale urban landscape to take different types of spatial indicators into account to simulate concurrence. The result is an assessment of the spatial distribution of risks within an urban area in the case of an earthquake and its secondary threats, using an inductive method. The results show the principal capabilities of remote sensing to contribute to the identification of physical and demographic aspects of vulnerability, as well as provide indicators for the spatial distribution of natural hazards. Aspects of social, economic or political indicators represent limitations of remote sensing for an assessment complying with the holistic risk framework.
---
paper_title: Remote sensing’s use in disaster research: a review

paper_content:

This paper examines articles published between 1972‐1998 that utilize remote sensing in hazard and disaster research. Delineating trends in the production and content of the articles may encourage those who are performing or contemplating such research to alter and/or expand their analyses in new or alternate directions. The review of articles indicates that the technique is primarily used to detect, identify, map, survey and monitor existing hazards and/or their effects. Secondary goals are to provide damage assessments, improve planning, or provide data for mitigation, preparation, relief, response, and warning efforts. Articles addressing hazard/disaster process modeling have rarely been published. It is suggested that if remote sensing is to be used more effectively to reduce unnecessary suffering from damaging environmental events, hazard and/or disaster process models be incorporated into future research.
---
paper_title: Disaster preparedness for sustainable development in Bangladesh

paper_content:

Purpose – Bangladesh is one of the most disaster‐prone countries in the world. Natural disasters adversely affect the country's economy and deter its development. Thus preparedness for the disasters, along with effective prevention and mitigation measures, is imperative for sustainable development of the country. The purpose of this paper is to examine the present state of disaster preparedness in the country with special attention to the more frequent and damaging disasters – flood and cyclone.Design/methodology/approach – A detailed study of the effects of natural disasters, disaster prevention and mitigation measures, and institutional setting for disaster preparedness was undertaken.Findings – Plans and programs have been formulated to manage natural disasters. In a “Cyclone Preparedness Program”, trained volunteers facilitate emergency response and proper use of the multi‐purpose shelters. Within an institutional framework for disaster management, several Non‐Government Organizations (NGOs) work for ...
---
paper_title: REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGIES IN POST-DISASTER DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

paper_content:

This paper highlights the recent applications of remote sensing technologies in post-disaster damage assessment, especially in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2006 Central Java earthquake. After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, satellite images which captured the affected areas before and after the event were fully employed in field investigations and in tsunami damage mapping. Since the affected areas are vast, moderate resolution satellite images were quite effective in change detection due to the tsunami. Using high-resolution optical satellite images acquired before and after the 2006 Central Java earthquake, the areas of building damage were extracted based on pixel-based and object-based land cover classifications and their accuracy was compared with visual inspection results. In the Central Java earthquake, ALOS/PALSAR captured a SAR image of the affected area one day after the event as well as pre-event times. Taking the difference of the pre-event correlation and the pre-and-post event correlation, the areas affected by the earthquake were also identified. From these examples, the use of proper satellite imagery is suggested considering the area to cover, sensor type, spatial resolution, satellite's retake time etc., in post-disaster damage assessment.
---
paper_title: Introduction to International Disaster Management

paper_content:

Introduction to International Disaster Management, Third Edition, continues to serve as the leading comprehensive overview of global emergency management. This edition provides practitioners and students alike with a comprehensive understanding of the disaster management profession by utilizing a global perspective and including the different sources of risk and vulnerability, the systems that exist to manage hazard risk, and the many different stakeholders involved. This update examines the impact of many recent large-scale and catastrophic disaster events on countries and communities, as well as their influence on disaster risk reduction efforts worldwide. It also expands coverage of small-island developing states (SIDS) and explores the achievements of the United Nations Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015) and the priorities for action in the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction currently under development. This useful, relevant text includes many changes that have occurred since the last edition for a better understanding of the rapidly advancing field of international disaster management. * Includes updated perspectives on recent events that have shaped the direction emergency management is taking today* Examines outcomes of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) decade, such as insight into how disaster risk reduction has advanced globally, and how it differs among countries and regions* Updated statistics on disaster frequency and impact provide a better understanding about how and why risk and vulnerability are changing* Presents information on multilateral emergency management agreements as well as profiles of important NGOs and international organizations* Key terms and summaries are provided at the beginning of each chapter to ease student comprehension* Offers customized and updated instructor materials, including PowerPoint lecture slides, test banks, and a detailed instructor's guide
---
paper_title: A review of the status of satellite remote sensing and image processing techniques for mapping natural hazards and disasters

paper_content:

In the event of a natural disaster, remote sensing is a valuable source of spatial information and its utility has been proven on many occasions around the world. However, there are many different types of hazards experienced worldwide on an annual basis and their remote sensing solutions are equally varied. This paper addresses a number of data types and image processing techniques used to map and monitor earthquakes, faulting, volcanic activity, landslides, fl ooding, and wildfi re, and the damages associated with each. Remote sensing is currently used operationally for some monitoring programs, though there are also diffi culties associated with the rapid acquisition of data and provision of a robust product to emergency services as an end-user. The current status of remote sensing as a rapid-response data source is discussed, and some perspectives given on emerging airborne and satellite technologies.
---
paper_title: Disaster preparedness for sustainable development in Bangladesh

paper_content:

Purpose – Bangladesh is one of the most disaster‐prone countries in the world. Natural disasters adversely affect the country's economy and deter its development. Thus preparedness for the disasters, along with effective prevention and mitigation measures, is imperative for sustainable development of the country. The purpose of this paper is to examine the present state of disaster preparedness in the country with special attention to the more frequent and damaging disasters – flood and cyclone.Design/methodology/approach – A detailed study of the effects of natural disasters, disaster prevention and mitigation measures, and institutional setting for disaster preparedness was undertaken.Findings – Plans and programs have been formulated to manage natural disasters. In a “Cyclone Preparedness Program”, trained volunteers facilitate emergency response and proper use of the multi‐purpose shelters. Within an institutional framework for disaster management, several Non‐Government Organizations (NGOs) work for ...
---
paper_title: Change detection from remotely sensed images: From pixel-based to object-based approaches

paper_content:

The appetite for up-to-date information about earth’s surface is ever increasing, as such information provides a base for a large number of applications, including local, regional and global resources monitoring, land-cover and land-use change monitoring, and environmental studies. The data from remote sensing satellites provide opportunities to acquire information about land at varying resolutions and has been widely used for change detection studies. A large number of change detection methodologies and techniques, utilizing remotely sensed data, have been developed, and newer techniques are still emerging. This paper begins with a discussion of the traditionally pixel-based and (mostly) statistics-oriented change detection techniques which focus mainly on the spectral values and mostly ignore the spatial context. This is succeeded by a review of object-based change detection techniques. Finally there is a brief discussion of spatial data mining techniques in image processing and change detection from remote sensing data. The merits and issues of different techniques are compared. The importance of the exponential increase in the image data volume and multiple sensors and associated challenges on the development of change detection techniques are highlighted. With the wide use of very-high-resolution (VHR) remotely sensed images, object-based methods and data mining techniques may have more potential in change detection.
---
paper_title: A review of the status of satellite remote sensing and image processing techniques for mapping natural hazards and disasters

paper_content:

In the event of a natural disaster, remote sensing is a valuable source of spatial information and its utility has been proven on many occasions around the world. However, there are many different types of hazards experienced worldwide on an annual basis and their remote sensing solutions are equally varied. This paper addresses a number of data types and image processing techniques used to map and monitor earthquakes, faulting, volcanic activity, landslides, fl ooding, and wildfi re, and the damages associated with each. Remote sensing is currently used operationally for some monitoring programs, though there are also diffi culties associated with the rapid acquisition of data and provision of a robust product to emergency services as an end-user. The current status of remote sensing as a rapid-response data source is discussed, and some perspectives given on emerging airborne and satellite technologies.
---
paper_title: Comparison of remote sensing change detection techniques for assessing hurricane damage to forests

paper_content:

This study compared performance of four change detection algorithms with six vegetation indices derived from pre- and post-Katrina Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery and a composite of the TM bands 4, 5, and 3 in order to select an optimal remote sensing technique for identifying forestlands disturbed by Hurricane Katrina. The algorithms included univariate image differencing (UID), selective principal component analysis (PCA), change vector analysis (CVA), and postclassification comparison (PCC). The indices consisted of near-infrared to red ratios, normalized difference vegetation index, Tasseled Cap index of greenness, brightness, and wetness (TCW), and soil-adjusted vegetation index. In addition to the satellite imagery, the “ground truth” data of forest damage were also collected through field investigation and interpretation of post-Katrina aerial photos. Disturbed forests were identified by classifying the composite and the continuous change imagery with the supervised classification method. Results showed that the change detection techniques exerted apparent influence on detection results with an overall accuracy varying between 51% and 86% and a kappa statistics ranging from 0.02 to 0.72. Detected areas of disturbed forestlands were noticeable in two groups: 180,832–264,617 and 85,861–124,205 ha. The landscape of disturbed forests also displayed two unique patterns, depending upon the area group. The PCC algorithm along with the composite image contributed the highest accuracy and lowest error (0.5%) in estimating areas of disturbed forestlands. Both UID and CVA performed similarly, but caution should be taken when using selective PCA in detecting hurricane disturbance to forests. Among the six indices, TCW outperformed the other indices owing to its maximum sensitivity to forest modification. This study suggested that compared with the detection algorithms, proper selection of vegetation indices was more critical for obtaining satisfactory results.
---
paper_title: Change detection techniques

paper_content:

Timely and accurate change detection of Earth's surface features is extremely important for understanding relationships and interactions between human and natural phenomena in order to promote better decision making. Remote sensing data are primary sources extensively used for change detection in recent decades. Many change detection techniques have been developed. This paper summarizes and reviews these techniques. Previous literature has shown that image differencing, principal component analysis and post-classification comparison are the most common methods used for change detection. In recent years, spectral mixture analysis, artificial neural networks and integration of geographical information system and remote sensing data have become important techniques for change detection applications. Different change detection algorithms have their own merits and no single approach is optimal and applicable to all cases. In practice, different algorithms are often compared to find the best change detection results for a specific application. Research of change detection techniques is still an active topic and new techniques are needed to effectively use the increasingly diverse and complex remotely sensed data available or projected to be soon available from satellite and airborne sensors. This paper is a comprehensive exploration of all the major change detection approaches implemented as found in the literature.
---
paper_title: Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques for Natural Disaster Monitoring

paper_content:

On 26 Dec 2004, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurred off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Over 300,000 people lost their lives in this disaster. Areas near to the epicentre in Indonesia, especially Aceh, were devastated by the earthquake and tsunamis.
---
paper_title: Assessment and Prediction of Natural Hazards from Satellite Imagery.

paper_content:

Since 2000, there have been a number of spaceborne satellites that have changed the way we assess and predict natural hazards. These satellites are able to quantify physical geographic phenomena associated with the movements of the earth's surface (earthquakes, mass movements), water (floods, tsunamis, storms), and fire (wildfires). Most of these satellites contain active or passive sensors that can be utilized by the scientific community for the remote sensing of natural hazards over a number of spatial and temporal scales. The most useful satellite imagery for the assessment of earthquake damage comes from high-resolution (0.6 m to 1 m pixel size) passive sensors and moderate resolution active sensors that can quantify the vertical and horizontal movement of the earth's surface. High-resolution passive sensors have been used to successfully assess flood damage while predictive maps of flood vulnerability areas are possible based on physical variables collected from passive and active sensors. Recent moderate resolution sensors are able to provide near real time data on fires and provide quantitative data used in fire behavior models. Limitations currently exist due to atmospheric interference, pixel resolution, and revisit times. However, a number of new microsatellites and constellations of satellites will be launched in the next five years that contain increased resolution (0.5 m to 1 m pixel resolution for active sensors) and revisit times (daily ≤ 2.5 m resolution images from passive sensors) that will significantly improve our ability to assess and predict natural hazards from space.
---
paper_title: A review of the status of satellite remote sensing and image processing techniques for mapping natural hazards and disasters

paper_content:

In the event of a natural disaster, remote sensing is a valuable source of spatial information and its utility has been proven on many occasions around the world. However, there are many different types of hazards experienced worldwide on an annual basis and their remote sensing solutions are equally varied. This paper addresses a number of data types and image processing techniques used to map and monitor earthquakes, faulting, volcanic activity, landslides, fl ooding, and wildfi re, and the damages associated with each. Remote sensing is currently used operationally for some monitoring programs, though there are also diffi culties associated with the rapid acquisition of data and provision of a robust product to emergency services as an end-user. The current status of remote sensing as a rapid-response data source is discussed, and some perspectives given on emerging airborne and satellite technologies.
---
paper_title: Comparison of remote sensing change detection techniques for assessing hurricane damage to forests

paper_content:

This study compared performance of four change detection algorithms with six vegetation indices derived from pre- and post-Katrina Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery and a composite of the TM bands 4, 5, and 3 in order to select an optimal remote sensing technique for identifying forestlands disturbed by Hurricane Katrina. The algorithms included univariate image differencing (UID), selective principal component analysis (PCA), change vector analysis (CVA), and postclassification comparison (PCC). The indices consisted of near-infrared to red ratios, normalized difference vegetation index, Tasseled Cap index of greenness, brightness, and wetness (TCW), and soil-adjusted vegetation index. In addition to the satellite imagery, the “ground truth” data of forest damage were also collected through field investigation and interpretation of post-Katrina aerial photos. Disturbed forests were identified by classifying the composite and the continuous change imagery with the supervised classification method. Results showed that the change detection techniques exerted apparent influence on detection results with an overall accuracy varying between 51% and 86% and a kappa statistics ranging from 0.02 to 0.72. Detected areas of disturbed forestlands were noticeable in two groups: 180,832–264,617 and 85,861–124,205 ha. The landscape of disturbed forests also displayed two unique patterns, depending upon the area group. The PCC algorithm along with the composite image contributed the highest accuracy and lowest error (0.5%) in estimating areas of disturbed forestlands. Both UID and CVA performed similarly, but caution should be taken when using selective PCA in detecting hurricane disturbance to forests. Among the six indices, TCW outperformed the other indices owing to its maximum sensitivity to forest modification. This study suggested that compared with the detection algorithms, proper selection of vegetation indices was more critical for obtaining satisfactory results.
---
paper_title: Remote Sensing Imagery Assessment of Areas Severely Affected by Cyclone Gonu in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

paper_content:

Cyclone Gonu, which was the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the Arabian Peninsula, affected the eastern parts of the Sultanate of Oman on June 4, 2007. The cyclone brought along strong and torrential rains, high waves, and strong winds. Gonu was first observed as an incipient tropical depression in the Indian Ocean on May 27 by weather satellites. Gonu peaked to category 5 on June 6 but was downgraded to category 1 by June 8, 2007. As the storm weakened, it moved through the Arabian Sea and made a landfall in Iran at 0.00 GMT on June 7, 2007. The most seriously affected areas in Oman included Sur, Quriyat, and parts of Muscat Governorate. In the city of Muscat, the torrential rains from Gonu turned wadis and roads to rivers, and low areas to lakes at the scale never recorded in the history of the Sultanate of Oman (Fig. 1). Some of the other major destructions caused by the cyclone in Muscat area included: Damage to desalination plants resulting in water shortages Damage to buildings and other infrastructure Damage to roads and bridges Uprooting of trees Severing of electricity supply and telephone network
---
paper_title: Change detection techniques

paper_content:

Timely and accurate change detection of Earth's surface features is extremely important for understanding relationships and interactions between human and natural phenomena in order to promote better decision making. Remote sensing data are primary sources extensively used for change detection in recent decades. Many change detection techniques have been developed. This paper summarizes and reviews these techniques. Previous literature has shown that image differencing, principal component analysis and post-classification comparison are the most common methods used for change detection. In recent years, spectral mixture analysis, artificial neural networks and integration of geographical information system and remote sensing data have become important techniques for change detection applications. Different change detection algorithms have their own merits and no single approach is optimal and applicable to all cases. In practice, different algorithms are often compared to find the best change detection results for a specific application. Research of change detection techniques is still an active topic and new techniques are needed to effectively use the increasingly diverse and complex remotely sensed data available or projected to be soon available from satellite and airborne sensors. This paper is a comprehensive exploration of all the major change detection approaches implemented as found in the literature.
---
paper_title: Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis – Towards a new paradigm

paper_content:

The amount of scientific literature on (Geographic) Object-based Image Analysis – GEOBIA has been and still is sharply increasing. These approaches to analysing imagery have antecedents in earlier research on image segmentation and use GIS-like spatial analysis within classification and feature extraction approaches. This article investigates these development and its implications and asks whether or not this is a new paradigm in remote sensing and Geographic Information Science (GIScience). We first discuss several limitations of prevailing per-pixel methods when applied to high resolution images. Then we explore the paradigm concept developed by Kuhn (1962) and discuss whether GEOBIA can be regarded as a paradigm according to this definition. We crystallize core concepts of GEOBIA, including the role of objects, of ontologies and the multiplicity of scales and we discuss how these conceptual developments support important methods in remote sensing such as change detection and accuracy assessment. The ramifications of the different theoretical foundations between the ‘per-pixel paradigm’ and GEOBIA are analysed, as are some of the challenges along this path from pixels, to objects, to geo-intelligence. Based on several paradigm indications as defined by Kuhn and based on an analysis of peer-reviewed scientific literature we conclude that GEOBIA is a new and evolving paradigm.
---
paper_title: Assessment and Prediction of Natural Hazards from Satellite Imagery.

paper_content:

Since 2000, there have been a number of spaceborne satellites that have changed the way we assess and predict natural hazards. These satellites are able to quantify physical geographic phenomena associated with the movements of the earth's surface (earthquakes, mass movements), water (floods, tsunamis, storms), and fire (wildfires). Most of these satellites contain active or passive sensors that can be utilized by the scientific community for the remote sensing of natural hazards over a number of spatial and temporal scales. The most useful satellite imagery for the assessment of earthquake damage comes from high-resolution (0.6 m to 1 m pixel size) passive sensors and moderate resolution active sensors that can quantify the vertical and horizontal movement of the earth's surface. High-resolution passive sensors have been used to successfully assess flood damage while predictive maps of flood vulnerability areas are possible based on physical variables collected from passive and active sensors. Recent moderate resolution sensors are able to provide near real time data on fires and provide quantitative data used in fire behavior models. Limitations currently exist due to atmospheric interference, pixel resolution, and revisit times. However, a number of new microsatellites and constellations of satellites will be launched in the next five years that contain increased resolution (0.5 m to 1 m pixel resolution for active sensors) and revisit times (daily ≤ 2.5 m resolution images from passive sensors) that will significantly improve our ability to assess and predict natural hazards from space.
---
paper_title: Change detection from remotely sensed images: From pixel-based to object-based approaches

paper_content:

The appetite for up-to-date information about earth’s surface is ever increasing, as such information provides a base for a large number of applications, including local, regional and global resources monitoring, land-cover and land-use change monitoring, and environmental studies. The data from remote sensing satellites provide opportunities to acquire information about land at varying resolutions and has been widely used for change detection studies. A large number of change detection methodologies and techniques, utilizing remotely sensed data, have been developed, and newer techniques are still emerging. This paper begins with a discussion of the traditionally pixel-based and (mostly) statistics-oriented change detection techniques which focus mainly on the spectral values and mostly ignore the spatial context. This is succeeded by a review of object-based change detection techniques. Finally there is a brief discussion of spatial data mining techniques in image processing and change detection from remote sensing data. The merits and issues of different techniques are compared. The importance of the exponential increase in the image data volume and multiple sensors and associated challenges on the development of change detection techniques are highlighted. With the wide use of very-high-resolution (VHR) remotely sensed images, object-based methods and data mining techniques may have more potential in change detection.
---
paper_title: A review of the status of satellite remote sensing and image processing techniques for mapping natural hazards and disasters

paper_content:

In the event of a natural disaster, remote sensing is a valuable source of spatial information and its utility has been proven on many occasions around the world. However, there are many different types of hazards experienced worldwide on an annual basis and their remote sensing solutions are equally varied. This paper addresses a number of data types and image processing techniques used to map and monitor earthquakes, faulting, volcanic activity, landslides, fl ooding, and wildfi re, and the damages associated with each. Remote sensing is currently used operationally for some monitoring programs, though there are also diffi culties associated with the rapid acquisition of data and provision of a robust product to emergency services as an end-user. The current status of remote sensing as a rapid-response data source is discussed, and some perspectives given on emerging airborne and satellite technologies.
---
paper_title: Comparison of remote sensing change detection techniques for assessing hurricane damage to forests

paper_content:

This study compared performance of four change detection algorithms with six vegetation indices derived from pre- and post-Katrina Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery and a composite of the TM bands 4, 5, and 3 in order to select an optimal remote sensing technique for identifying forestlands disturbed by Hurricane Katrina. The algorithms included univariate image differencing (UID), selective principal component analysis (PCA), change vector analysis (CVA), and postclassification comparison (PCC). The indices consisted of near-infrared to red ratios, normalized difference vegetation index, Tasseled Cap index of greenness, brightness, and wetness (TCW), and soil-adjusted vegetation index. In addition to the satellite imagery, the “ground truth” data of forest damage were also collected through field investigation and interpretation of post-Katrina aerial photos. Disturbed forests were identified by classifying the composite and the continuous change imagery with the supervised classification method. Results showed that the change detection techniques exerted apparent influence on detection results with an overall accuracy varying between 51% and 86% and a kappa statistics ranging from 0.02 to 0.72. Detected areas of disturbed forestlands were noticeable in two groups: 180,832–264,617 and 85,861–124,205 ha. The landscape of disturbed forests also displayed two unique patterns, depending upon the area group. The PCC algorithm along with the composite image contributed the highest accuracy and lowest error (0.5%) in estimating areas of disturbed forestlands. Both UID and CVA performed similarly, but caution should be taken when using selective PCA in detecting hurricane disturbance to forests. Among the six indices, TCW outperformed the other indices owing to its maximum sensitivity to forest modification. This study suggested that compared with the detection algorithms, proper selection of vegetation indices was more critical for obtaining satisfactory results.
---
paper_title: REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGIES IN POST-DISASTER DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

paper_content:

This paper highlights the recent applications of remote sensing technologies in post-disaster damage assessment, especially in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2006 Central Java earthquake. After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, satellite images which captured the affected areas before and after the event were fully employed in field investigations and in tsunami damage mapping. Since the affected areas are vast, moderate resolution satellite images were quite effective in change detection due to the tsunami. Using high-resolution optical satellite images acquired before and after the 2006 Central Java earthquake, the areas of building damage were extracted based on pixel-based and object-based land cover classifications and their accuracy was compared with visual inspection results. In the Central Java earthquake, ALOS/PALSAR captured a SAR image of the affected area one day after the event as well as pre-event times. Taking the difference of the pre-event correlation and the pre-and-post event correlation, the areas affected by the earthquake were also identified. From these examples, the use of proper satellite imagery is suggested considering the area to cover, sensor type, spatial resolution, satellite's retake time etc., in post-disaster damage assessment.
---
paper_title: Change detection techniques

paper_content:

Timely and accurate change detection of Earth's surface features is extremely important for understanding relationships and interactions between human and natural phenomena in order to promote better decision making. Remote sensing data are primary sources extensively used for change detection in recent decades. Many change detection techniques have been developed. This paper summarizes and reviews these techniques. Previous literature has shown that image differencing, principal component analysis and post-classification comparison are the most common methods used for change detection. In recent years, spectral mixture analysis, artificial neural networks and integration of geographical information system and remote sensing data have become important techniques for change detection applications. Different change detection algorithms have their own merits and no single approach is optimal and applicable to all cases. In practice, different algorithms are often compared to find the best change detection results for a specific application. Research of change detection techniques is still an active topic and new techniques are needed to effectively use the increasingly diverse and complex remotely sensed data available or projected to be soon available from satellite and airborne sensors. This paper is a comprehensive exploration of all the major change detection approaches implemented as found in the literature.
---
paper_title: Change detection from remotely sensed images: From pixel-based to object-based approaches

paper_content:

The appetite for up-to-date information about earth’s surface is ever increasing, as such information provides a base for a large number of applications, including local, regional and global resources monitoring, land-cover and land-use change monitoring, and environmental studies. The data from remote sensing satellites provide opportunities to acquire information about land at varying resolutions and has been widely used for change detection studies. A large number of change detection methodologies and techniques, utilizing remotely sensed data, have been developed, and newer techniques are still emerging. This paper begins with a discussion of the traditionally pixel-based and (mostly) statistics-oriented change detection techniques which focus mainly on the spectral values and mostly ignore the spatial context. This is succeeded by a review of object-based change detection techniques. Finally there is a brief discussion of spatial data mining techniques in image processing and change detection from remote sensing data. The merits and issues of different techniques are compared. The importance of the exponential increase in the image data volume and multiple sensors and associated challenges on the development of change detection techniques are highlighted. With the wide use of very-high-resolution (VHR) remotely sensed images, object-based methods and data mining techniques may have more potential in change detection.
---
paper_title: REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGIES IN POST-DISASTER DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

paper_content:

This paper highlights the recent applications of remote sensing technologies in post-disaster damage assessment, especially in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2006 Central Java earthquake. After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, satellite images which captured the affected areas before and after the event were fully employed in field investigations and in tsunami damage mapping. Since the affected areas are vast, moderate resolution satellite images were quite effective in change detection due to the tsunami. Using high-resolution optical satellite images acquired before and after the 2006 Central Java earthquake, the areas of building damage were extracted based on pixel-based and object-based land cover classifications and their accuracy was compared with visual inspection results. In the Central Java earthquake, ALOS/PALSAR captured a SAR image of the affected area one day after the event as well as pre-event times. Taking the difference of the pre-event correlation and the pre-and-post event correlation, the areas affected by the earthquake were also identified. From these examples, the use of proper satellite imagery is suggested considering the area to cover, sensor type, spatial resolution, satellite's retake time etc., in post-disaster damage assessment.
---
paper_title: Change detection techniques

paper_content:

Timely and accurate change detection of Earth's surface features is extremely important for understanding relationships and interactions between human and natural phenomena in order to promote better decision making. Remote sensing data are primary sources extensively used for change detection in recent decades. Many change detection techniques have been developed. This paper summarizes and reviews these techniques. Previous literature has shown that image differencing, principal component analysis and post-classification comparison are the most common methods used for change detection. In recent years, spectral mixture analysis, artificial neural networks and integration of geographical information system and remote sensing data have become important techniques for change detection applications. Different change detection algorithms have their own merits and no single approach is optimal and applicable to all cases. In practice, different algorithms are often compared to find the best change detection results for a specific application. Research of change detection techniques is still an active topic and new techniques are needed to effectively use the increasingly diverse and complex remotely sensed data available or projected to be soon available from satellite and airborne sensors. This paper is a comprehensive exploration of all the major change detection approaches implemented as found in the literature.
---
paper_title: Vulnerability and Risk Assessment

paper_content:

Using census and spatial databases, this chapter demonstrates the assessment of flood vulnerability and risk zoning in the megacity of Dhaka. A place-based approach was adopted to evaluate flood vulnerability at the community level. A method comprising the AHP and the WLC was used to operationalize the conceptual model within a GIS framework. A number of biophysical variables were used to derive the physical vulnerability index (PVI). In addition, nine variables were extracted from diverse sources to derive the social vulnerability index (SVI). To determine the coping capacity of a community, five variables were employed and a coping capacity index (CCI) was developed. Using the PVI, SVI, and CCI, a composite vulnerability index (CVI) was prepared, which revealed that 28 and 14% of the population in the study area were located between high and very high vulnerable zones, respectively. Thirty-six percent were in katcha housing units, which are largely home to marginal people and were in the very high vulnerable zone, revealing the susceptibility of human settlements to floods. Flood hazard data were multiplied with the CVI to delineate the flood risk zone. A total of 18.5% of people lived in high and very high flood risk zones, which was further compounded by the number of females, young, elderly, and illiterate persons. At least 25.8% of housing units were located in these zones. The flood risk map developed in this study could be used as baseline information for the development of pertinent mitigation measures to ameliorate flood loss in the days ahead.
---
paper_title: Composite risk assessment of typhoon-induced disaster for China’s coastal area

paper_content:

Typhoons, as one of the most devastating natural hazards in China’s coastal area, have caused considerable personal injury and property damage throughout history. An indicator system which included two aspects of hazard and vulnerability with 14 indicators was built up for composite risk assessment of typhoon-induced disaster. The analytic hierarchy process was used to calculate the weight of each indicator, and the composite risk assessment model was then built up. The results indicated that there were no very high- or very low-risk areas in China’s coastal area. Out of the 18,000-km-long China land coastline, 30.99 % was at low risk, mostly along the coastal hill–mountain zone, Hainan and Guangxi coast; the major part (62.71 %) of the coastal area was classified as at moderate risk. Although only 6.30 % of the total was at high risk, the affected area was mainly distributed in Tianjin, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, the three main deltas with low topography, a highly developed economy, and a very dense population.
---
paper_title: Risk assessment on storm surges in the coastal area of Guangdong Province

paper_content:

The coastal area of Guangdong Province is one of the most developed regions in China. It is also often under severe risk of storm surges, as one of the few regions in China which are seriously threatened by storm surges. Based on the data of storm surges in the study area in the past 30 years, the return periods of 18 tide stations for storm surge are calculated separately. Using the spatial analysis technology of ArcGIS, combined with the topography data of the study area, the submerged scope for storm surge in the coastal area of Guangdong Province is determined, and the hazard assessment is carried out. According to the view of systematic point, this article quotes the result of vulnerability assessment which was done by the author in the previous research. Based on the hazard evaluation and vulnerability evaluation, risk assessment of storm surges in the study region is done, and the risk zoning map is drawn. According to the assessment, Zhuhai, Panyu and Taishan are classified as the highest risk to storm surges in Guangdong Province; Yangdong, Yangjiang and Haifeng are in higher risk to storm surges; Dongguan, Jiangmen, Baoan and Huidong are in middle risk to storm surges; Zhongshan, Enping, Shanwei, Huiyang, Longgang and Shenzhen are in lower risk of storm surges; Guangzhou, Shunde and Kaiping are in the lowest risk to storm surges. This study builds a complete process for risk assessment of storm surges. It reveals the risk of storm surges in the coastal cities, and it would guide the land use of coastal cities in the future and provide scientific advices to the government for the prevention and mitigation of storm surge disaster. It has important theoretical and practical significance. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
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paper_title: Remote sensing-based assessment of tsunami vulnerability and risk in Alexandria, Egypt

paper_content:

Abstract Tsunamis can cause catastrophic loss of life, destruction of property, engineered structures and coastal infrastructure, and they can lead to major economic losses. Even though tsunamis are relatively rare in the Mediterranean Sea, their potential danger to cities along the Mediterranean coast cannot be neglected. In order to create awareness among the potentially affected people it is important to know the risk and vulnerability of the population and infrastructure related to a possible tsunami impact. In this work a hazard, vulnerability and risk analysis for buildings in two districts of Alexandria was carried out. Relevant input parameters were derived mainly from remote sensing and field data and were analyzed with a geographical information system (GIS). Based on historical records of past tsunamis, two inundation scenarios of 5 m and 9 m were defined and modeled applying a bath-type model. The resulting tsunami building risk zone maps showed that 12% of the buildings in El Gomrok district are at high or very high risk for the 5 m scenario, while the risk for El Montazah area is low. For the 9 m scenario, on the other hand, the majority of the buildings in both districts, 56% of El Gomrok, and 60% of El Montazah, are in the high or very high risk zone. An analysis of the building use indicated that the majority of these buildings are residential and commercial types, highlighting that the potential consequences of a tsunami could be severe. Due to the scarcity of historical data no frequency could be associated with the two selected scenarios. While both are credible we consider the 5 m scenario as possible but unlikely and the 9 m scenario as unlikely.
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paper_title: Disaster Risk Reduction Approaches in Bangladesh

paper_content:

Disaster, Risk and Evolution of the Concept.- Understanding Vulnerability and Risks.- National Perspectives of Disaster Risk Reduction in Bangladesh.- Flood Risks and Reduction Approaches in Bangladesh.- Cyclone and Tornado Risk and Reduction Approaches in Bangladesh.- Earthquake Risk and Reduction Approaches in Bangladesh.- Drought Risk and Reduction Approaches in Bangladesh.- Landslide and Flash flood in Bangladesh.- Arsenic Contamination in Bangladesh: Contemporary Alarm and Future Strategy.- Sea Level Rise along the Coast of Bangladesh.- Urban Risk Reduction Approaches in Bangladesh.- Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction Approaches in Bangladesh.- Crop Insurance as Risk Management Strategy in Bangladesh.- Disaster Education in Bangladesh: Opportunities and Challenges.- Disaster Risk Reduction Investment and Reduction of Response Cost in Bangladesh.- Gender and Social Exclusion Analysis in Disaster Risk Management.
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paper_title: Vulnerability and Risk Assessment

paper_content:

Using census and spatial databases, this chapter demonstrates the assessment of flood vulnerability and risk zoning in the megacity of Dhaka. A place-based approach was adopted to evaluate flood vulnerability at the community level. A method comprising the AHP and the WLC was used to operationalize the conceptual model within a GIS framework. A number of biophysical variables were used to derive the physical vulnerability index (PVI). In addition, nine variables were extracted from diverse sources to derive the social vulnerability index (SVI). To determine the coping capacity of a community, five variables were employed and a coping capacity index (CCI) was developed. Using the PVI, SVI, and CCI, a composite vulnerability index (CVI) was prepared, which revealed that 28 and 14% of the population in the study area were located between high and very high vulnerable zones, respectively. Thirty-six percent were in katcha housing units, which are largely home to marginal people and were in the very high vulnerable zone, revealing the susceptibility of human settlements to floods. Flood hazard data were multiplied with the CVI to delineate the flood risk zone. A total of 18.5% of people lived in high and very high flood risk zones, which was further compounded by the number of females, young, elderly, and illiterate persons. At least 25.8% of housing units were located in these zones. The flood risk map developed in this study could be used as baseline information for the development of pertinent mitigation measures to ameliorate flood loss in the days ahead.
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paper_title: Assessment of flood hazard, vulnerability and risk of mid-eastern Dhaka using DEM and 1D hydrodynamic model

paper_content:

Floods are regular feature in rapidly urbanizing Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. It is observed that about 60% of the eastern Dhaka regularly goes under water every year in monsoon due to lack of flood protection. Experience gathered from past devastating floods shows that, besides structural approach, non-structural approach such as flood hazard map and risk map is effective tools for reducing flood damages. In this paper, assessment of flood hazard by developing a flood hazard map for mid-eastern Dhaka (37.16 km 2 ) was carried out by 1D hydrodynamic simulation on the basis of digital elevation model (DEM) data from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission and the hydrologic field-observed data for 32 years (1972–2004). As the topography of the area has been considerably changed due to rapid land-filling by land developers which was observed in recent satellite image (DigitalGlobe image; Date of imagery: 7th March 2007), the acquired DEM data were modified to represent the current topography. The inundation simulation was conducted using hydrodynamic program HEC-RAS for flood of 100-year return period. The simulation has revealed that the maximum depth is 7.55 m at the southeastern part of that area and affected area is more than 50%. A flood hazard map was prepared according to the simulation result using the software ArcGIS. Finally, to assess the flood risk of that area, a risk map was prepared where risk was defined as the product of hazard (i.e., depth of inundation) and vulnerability (i.e., the exposure of people or assets to flood). These two maps should be helpful in raising awareness of inhabitants and in assigning priority for land development and for emergency preparedness including aid and relief operations in high-risk areas in the future. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012
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paper_title: Hazard and Risk Assessment from Hurricane Ivan (2004) in Grenada using Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing

paper_content:

Hurricanes are destructive storms with strong winds, intense storm surges, and heavy rainfall. The resulting impact from a hurricane can include structural damage to buildings and infrastructure, flooding, and ultimately loss of human life. This paper seeks to identify the impact of Hurricane Ivan on the aected population of Grenada, one of the Caribbean islands. Hurricane Ivan made landfall on 7th September 2004 and resulted in 80% of the population being adversely aected. The methods that were used to model these impacts involved performing hazard and risk assessments using GIS and remote sensing techniques. Spatial analyses were used to create a hazard and a risk map. Hazards were identied initially as those caused by storm surges, severe winds speeds, and flooding events related to Hurricane Ivan. These estimated hazards were then used to create a risk map. An innovative approach was adopted, including the use of hillshading to assess the damage caused by high wind speeds. This paper explains in detail the methodology used and the results produced.
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paper_title: Risk assessment on storm surges in the coastal area of Guangdong Province

paper_content:

The coastal area of Guangdong Province is one of the most developed regions in China. It is also often under severe risk of storm surges, as one of the few regions in China which are seriously threatened by storm surges. Based on the data of storm surges in the study area in the past 30 years, the return periods of 18 tide stations for storm surge are calculated separately. Using the spatial analysis technology of ArcGIS, combined with the topography data of the study area, the submerged scope for storm surge in the coastal area of Guangdong Province is determined, and the hazard assessment is carried out. According to the view of systematic point, this article quotes the result of vulnerability assessment which was done by the author in the previous research. Based on the hazard evaluation and vulnerability evaluation, risk assessment of storm surges in the study region is done, and the risk zoning map is drawn. According to the assessment, Zhuhai, Panyu and Taishan are classified as the highest risk to storm surges in Guangdong Province; Yangdong, Yangjiang and Haifeng are in higher risk to storm surges; Dongguan, Jiangmen, Baoan and Huidong are in middle risk to storm surges; Zhongshan, Enping, Shanwei, Huiyang, Longgang and Shenzhen are in lower risk of storm surges; Guangzhou, Shunde and Kaiping are in the lowest risk to storm surges. This study builds a complete process for risk assessment of storm surges. It reveals the risk of storm surges in the coastal cities, and it would guide the land use of coastal cities in the future and provide scientific advices to the government for the prevention and mitigation of storm surge disaster. It has important theoretical and practical significance. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
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paper_title: Remote sensing-based assessment of tsunami vulnerability and risk in Alexandria, Egypt

paper_content:

Abstract Tsunamis can cause catastrophic loss of life, destruction of property, engineered structures and coastal infrastructure, and they can lead to major economic losses. Even though tsunamis are relatively rare in the Mediterranean Sea, their potential danger to cities along the Mediterranean coast cannot be neglected. In order to create awareness among the potentially affected people it is important to know the risk and vulnerability of the population and infrastructure related to a possible tsunami impact. In this work a hazard, vulnerability and risk analysis for buildings in two districts of Alexandria was carried out. Relevant input parameters were derived mainly from remote sensing and field data and were analyzed with a geographical information system (GIS). Based on historical records of past tsunamis, two inundation scenarios of 5 m and 9 m were defined and modeled applying a bath-type model. The resulting tsunami building risk zone maps showed that 12% of the buildings in El Gomrok district are at high or very high risk for the 5 m scenario, while the risk for El Montazah area is low. For the 9 m scenario, on the other hand, the majority of the buildings in both districts, 56% of El Gomrok, and 60% of El Montazah, are in the high or very high risk zone. An analysis of the building use indicated that the majority of these buildings are residential and commercial types, highlighting that the potential consequences of a tsunami could be severe. Due to the scarcity of historical data no frequency could be associated with the two selected scenarios. While both are credible we consider the 5 m scenario as possible but unlikely and the 9 m scenario as unlikely.
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paper_title: Geospatial Analysis for Coastal Risk Assessment to Cyclones

paper_content:

Cyclone is one of the major coastal hazards affecting the Indian coastline bringing floods and widespread damage due to rain, storm surges and heavy winds. Hence, coastal risk assessment is essential to identify the threats to the land and population, from cyclones. The risk assessment has been carried out in northern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, for the stretch from Kattivakkam to Kovalam. Risk is the probability of expected losses from a given hazard and it varies according to the vulnerability of the region. The risk assessment has been structured in four components, namely, Environmental Vulnerability, Social Vulnerability, Hazard Potential and Mitigation Capacity. The thematic layers and hazard maps are created using Satellite data and Geographic Information System. Coastal risk indices are generated for each component of risk using Analytic Hierarchy Process. Based on the index value, the level of risk is mapped and the results help in faster and appropriate decision making.
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paper_title: Composite risk assessment of typhoon-induced disaster for China’s coastal area

paper_content:

Typhoons, as one of the most devastating natural hazards in China’s coastal area, have caused considerable personal injury and property damage throughout history. An indicator system which included two aspects of hazard and vulnerability with 14 indicators was built up for composite risk assessment of typhoon-induced disaster. The analytic hierarchy process was used to calculate the weight of each indicator, and the composite risk assessment model was then built up. The results indicated that there were no very high- or very low-risk areas in China’s coastal area. Out of the 18,000-km-long China land coastline, 30.99 % was at low risk, mostly along the coastal hill–mountain zone, Hainan and Guangxi coast; the major part (62.71 %) of the coastal area was classified as at moderate risk. Although only 6.30 % of the total was at high risk, the affected area was mainly distributed in Tianjin, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, the three main deltas with low topography, a highly developed economy, and a very dense population.
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paper_title: GIS‐based multicriteria decision analysis: a survey of the literature

paper_content:

The integration of GIS and multicriteria decision analysis has attracted significant interest over the last 15 years or so. This paper surveys the GIS‐based multicriteria decision analysis (GIS‐MCDA) approaches using a literature review and classification of articles from 1990 to 2004. An electronic search indicated that over 300 articles appeared in refereed journals. The paper provides taxonomy of those articles and identifies trends and developments in GIS‐MCDA.
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paper_title: MCE-RISK : integrating multicriteria evaluation and GIS for risk decision-making in natural hazards

paper_content:

Abstract During the past two decades there have been a wide range of applications for decision-making linking multicriteria evaluation (MCE) and geographic information systems (GIS). However, limited literature reports the development of MCE-GIS software, and the comparison of various MCE-GIS approaches. This paper introduces an MCE-GIS program called MCE-RISK for risk-based decision-making. It consists of a series of modules for data standardisation, weighting, MCE-GIS methods, and sensitivity analysis. The program incorporates different MCE-GIS methods, including weighted linear combination (WLC), the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), and compromise programming (CP), enabling comparisons between different methods for the same decision problem to be made. An example of decision-making for determining priority areas for a bushfire hazard reduction burning is examined. After implementing the alternative MCE-GIS methods, and comparing final outputs and the computational difficulty involved in the analysis, WLC is recommended. Some caveats on using MCE-GIS methods are also discussed. Although the development of MCE-RISK and its application reported in this paper are specific to risk-based decision-making in natural hazards, the program can be used for other environmental decision applications, such as environmental impact assessment and land-use planning.
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paper_title: Geospatial Analysis for Coastal Risk Assessment to Cyclones

paper_content:

Cyclone is one of the major coastal hazards affecting the Indian coastline bringing floods and widespread damage due to rain, storm surges and heavy winds. Hence, coastal risk assessment is essential to identify the threats to the land and population, from cyclones. The risk assessment has been carried out in northern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, for the stretch from Kattivakkam to Kovalam. Risk is the probability of expected losses from a given hazard and it varies according to the vulnerability of the region. The risk assessment has been structured in four components, namely, Environmental Vulnerability, Social Vulnerability, Hazard Potential and Mitigation Capacity. The thematic layers and hazard maps are created using Satellite data and Geographic Information System. Coastal risk indices are generated for each component of risk using Analytic Hierarchy Process. Based on the index value, the level of risk is mapped and the results help in faster and appropriate decision making.
---
paper_title: Composite risk assessment of typhoon-induced disaster for China’s coastal area

paper_content:

Typhoons, as one of the most devastating natural hazards in China’s coastal area, have caused considerable personal injury and property damage throughout history. An indicator system which included two aspects of hazard and vulnerability with 14 indicators was built up for composite risk assessment of typhoon-induced disaster. The analytic hierarchy process was used to calculate the weight of each indicator, and the composite risk assessment model was then built up. The results indicated that there were no very high- or very low-risk areas in China’s coastal area. Out of the 18,000-km-long China land coastline, 30.99 % was at low risk, mostly along the coastal hill–mountain zone, Hainan and Guangxi coast; the major part (62.71 %) of the coastal area was classified as at moderate risk. Although only 6.30 % of the total was at high risk, the affected area was mainly distributed in Tianjin, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, the three main deltas with low topography, a highly developed economy, and a very dense population.
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paper_title: Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis and Geographic Information Systems

paper_content:

This chapter focuses on a review of Geographic Information System-based Multicriteria Decision Analysis (GIS-MCDA). These two distinctive areas of research can benefit from each other. On the one hand, GIS techniques and procedures have an important role to play in analyzing spatial decision problems. Indeed, GIS is often recognized as a spatial decision support system. On the other hand, MCDA provides a rich collection of techniques and procedures for structuring decision problems, designing, evaluating, and prioritizing alternative decisions. At the most rudimentary level, GIS-MCDA can be thought of as a process that transforms and combines geographical (spatial) data and value judgments (the decision maker’s preferences) to obtain information for decision making. It is in the context of the synergetic capabilities of GIS and MCDA that one can see the benefit for advancing theoretical and applied research on GIS-MCDA. The chapter is structured into seven sections. The introductory section outlines the synergetic capabilities of GIS and MCDA. Subsequently, the chapter provides an introduction to the basic concepts of GIS, a historical perspective of GIS-MCDA, and a survey of the GIS-MCDA literature. The following section focuses on the MCDA functions in GIS-based analysis and Multicriteria Spatial Decision Support System (MC-SDSS). The concluding section presents the challenges and prospects for advancing GIS-MCDA.
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paper_title: Spatial vulnerability assessment of floods in the coastal regions of Bangladesh

paper_content:

Vulnerability assessment is considered as a key step towards effective disaster risk reduction. It is multi-dimensional, and its assessment is complicated due to the social, economic, political, and institutional patterns of societies. The demand for comprehensive vulnerability assessments including a spatial differentiation of vulnerability is high. In this study, a methodology for the spatial vulnerability assessment of floods in the coastal regions of Bangladesh is developed. For a 706 km2 area in the Sundarbans Reserve Forest and its surroundings 12 vulnerability domains are defined and 44 indicators are developed. These indicators are ranked by 20 local experts through an analytic hierarchy process (AHP). All data-sets are transformed into 100 m resolution raster (grid) data-sets in a geographic information system (GIS). This grid approach surmounts the problems of data availability and different data scales, and allows the inclusion of indicators for the social dimension. A spatial vulnerability ass...
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paper_title: An MCDM analysis of agricultural risk aversion

paper_content:

Abstract In modelling farm systems it is widely accepted that risk plays a central role. Furthermore, farmers’ risk aversion determines their decisions in both the short and the long run. This paper presents a methodology based on multiple criteria mathematical programming to obtain relative and absolute risk aversion coefficients. We rely on multiattribute utility theory to elicit a separable additive multiattribute utility function and estimate the risk aversion coefficients, and apply this methodology to an irrigated area of Northern Spain. The results show a wide variety of attitudes to risk among farmers, who usually exhibit decreasing absolute risk aversion and constant relative risk aversion.
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paper_title: Outranking methods as tools in strategic natural resources planning

paper_content:

Two outranking methods, ELECTRE III and PROMETHEE II, commonly used as decision-aid in various environmental problems, and their applications to decision support for natural resources management are presented. These methods represent ‘the European school’ of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM), as opposed to ‘the American school’, represented by, for instance, the AHP method. On the basis of a case study, outranking methods are compared to so far more usually applied techniques based on the ideas of multi attribute utility theory (MAUT). The outranking methods have been recommended for situations, where there is a fi nite number of discrete alternatives to be chosen among. The number of decision criteria and decision makers may be large. An important advantage of outranking methods, when compared to decision support techniques most often applied in today’s natural resources management, is the ability to deal with ordinal and more or less descriptive information on the alternative plans to be evaluated. Furthermore, the uncertainty concerning the values of the criterion variables can be taken into account using fuzzy relations, determined by indifference and preference thresholds. The diffi cult interpretation of the results, on the other hand, is the main drawback of the outranking methods.
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paper_title: Combining Expert Judgement and Stakeholder Values with Promethee: A case Study in Contaminated Sediments

paper_content:

Management of dredged contaminated sediments can be a contentious, difficult, and expensive task. Because the waterways from which sediments are dredged have multiple uses, competing interests are often brought to bear on any decision. No single best alternative is likely to emerge; different stakeholder groups will prefer different alternatives. This chapter investigates the utility of multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) as a tool for incorporating stakeholder values into the decision process, for soliciting public participation, and analyzing novel technological alternatives. An outranking method called PROMETHEE is employed for three reasons. First, the emphasis placed on assessing new technologies — and especially beneficial reuse technologies — requires a method that facilitates introduction of new alternatives at any point during the analysis. Second, outranking methods are conducive to elucidating the contrasting value structures of different stakeholder groups. Third, they are more capable of handling semiquantitative scales (e.g., high, middle, low) than optimization methods such as MAUT or AHP. To illustrate the decision process under development, this chapter presents the results of a case study example involving stakeholders in Dover, New Hampshire concerned with the dredging of the Cocheco River.
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paper_title: GIS-Based Multiple-Criteria Decision Analysis

paper_content:

Important and complex spatial decisions, such as allocating land to development or conservationoriented goals, require information and tools to aid in understanding the inherent tradeoffs. They also require mechanisms for incorporating and documenting the value judgements of interest groups and decision makers. Multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) is a family of techniques that aid decision makers in formally structuring multi-faceted decisions and evaluating the alternatives. It has been used for about two decades with geographic information systems (GIS) to analyse spatial problems. However, the variety and complexity of MCDA methods, with their varying terminologies, means that this rich set of tools is not easily accessible to the untrained. This paper provides background for GIS users, analysts and researchers to quickly get up to speed on MCDA, supporting the ultimate goal of making it more accessible to decision makers. A number of factors for describing MCDA problems and selecting methods are outlined then simplified into a decision tree, which organises an introduction of key methods. Approaches range from mathematical programming and heuristic algorithms for simultaneously optimising multiple goals, to more common single-objective techniques based on weighted addition of criteria values, attainment of criteria thresholds, or outranking of alternatives. There is substantial research that demonstrates ways to couple GIS with multi-criteria methods, and to adapt MCDA for use in spatially continuous problems. Increasing the accessibility of GIS-based MCDA provides new opportunities for researchers and practitioners, including web-based participation and advanced visualisation of decision processes.
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paper_title: Modelling sea level rise impacts on storm surges along US coasts

paper_content:

Sound policies for protecting coastal communities and assets require good information about vulnerability to flooding. Here, we investigate the influence of sea level rise on expected storm surge-driven water levels and their frequencies along the contiguous United States. We use model output for global temperature changes, a semi-empirical model of global sea level rise, and long-term records from 55 nationally distributed tidal gauges to develop sea level rise projections at each gauge location. We employ more detailed records over the period 1979‐2008 from the same gauges to elicit historic patterns of extreme high water events, and combine these statistics with anticipated relative sea level rise to project changing local extremes through 2050. We find that substantial changes in the frequency of what are now considered extreme water levels may occur even at locations with relatively slow local sea level rise, when the difference in height between presently common and rare water levels is small. We estimate that, by mid-century, some locations may experience high water levels annually that would qualify today as ‘century’ (i.e., having a chance of occurrence of 1% annually) extremes. Today’s century levels become ‘decade’ (having a chance of 10% annually) or more frequent events at about a third of the study gauges, and the majority of locations see substantially higher frequency of previously rare storm-driven water heights in the future. These results add support to the need for policy approaches that consider the non-stationarity of extreme events when evaluating risks of adverse climate impacts.
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paper_title: Examining GIS decision utility for natural hazard risk modelling

paper_content:

Abstract The research examines the incompatibility between resolution and scale of spatial data in a spatial modelling environment and the resolution and scale of human spatial decision-making. This incompatibility is rarely considered when a geographic information systems (GIS) is applied to natural hazard risk assessment. However, the ultimate success of a risk management project should be assessed in the context of improved decision-making. Decision utility is an emerging theme in GIS literature that focuses on cognitive issues of GIS and human interactions. The research presents a technique for flood risk modelling using GIS and digital elevation models to map relative risk in urban communities. The study is based on Cairns located in far northern Australia. The risk model accounts for uncertainties inherent in the elevation data by adapting an existing error simulation technique. Techniques for making spatial model assumptions and model error explicit to flood risk managers are introduced and evaluated for risk management decision-making.
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paper_title: Risk assessment of hurricane storm surge for New York City

paper_content:

[1] Hurricane storm surge presents a major hazard for the United States. We apply a model‐based risk assessment methodology to investigate hurricane storm surge risk for New York City (NYC). We couple a statistical/deterministic hurricane model with the hydrodynamic model SLOSH (sea, lake, and overland surges from hurricanes) to generate a large number of synthetic surge events; the SLOSH model simulations are compared to advanced circulation model simulations. Statistical analysis is carried out on the empirical data. It is observed that the probability distribution of hurricane surge heights at the Battery, NYC, exhibited a heavy tail, which essentially determines the risk of New York City being struck by a catastrophic coastal flood event. The peaks‐over‐threshold method with the generalized Pareto distribution is applied to estimate the upper tail of the surge heights. The resulting return periods of surge heights are consistent with those of other studies for the New York area. This storm surge risk assessment methodology may be applied to other coastal areas and can be extended to consider the effect of future climate change.
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paper_title: Modeling Flood Hazards

paper_content:

Satellite-derived flood maps from 1988 to 2009 were used to construct a flood-affected frequency map of the study area. Similarly, a series of flood depth maps were used to generate a flood damage map for flood depth data. A flood hazard map was then developed by considering both the flood-affected frequency and flood depth data, simultaneously using a 2-D ranking matrix. The final flood hazard map was then combined with population and housing data to calculate the flood exposure for these two elements. The analysis revealed that 23% of the population is located in low- to high hazard zones, while 25% of human settlements are located in different flood hazard zones.
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paper_title: Impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on cyclonic storm surge floods in Bangladesh

paper_content:

Abstract This paper describes the impacts of sea surface temperature (SST) rise and sea-level rise (SLR) on cyclonic storm surge flooding in western Bangladesh. A calibrated numerical hydrodynamic model was used to simulate surge wave propagation through the rivers and overland flooding. The model was calibrated with base condition (present climate), and then eight flooding scenarios of plausible future conditions were assessed by considering increased surge heights. Flooded area, flooding depth and surge intrusion length were computed by superimposing the predicted maximum water level information on a digital elevation model (DEM). This analysis showed that for a storm surge under 2 °C SST rise and 0.3 m SLR, flood risk area would be 15.3% greater than the present risk area and depth of flooding would increase by as much as 22.7% within 20 km from the coastline. Within the risk area, the study identified 5690 km 2 land (22% of exposed coast) as a high-risk zone (HRZ) where flooding of depth 1 m or more might occur, and people should move to nearby cyclone shelters during extreme cyclonic events. Predicted area of HRZ is 1.26 times the currently demarcated HRZ. It was estimated that 320 additional shelters are required to accommodate people in the newly identified HRZ. This information would be of value to policy and decision makers for future shelter planning and designing shelter heights.
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paper_title: Modelling tropical cyclone hazards under climate change scenario using geospatial techniques

paper_content:

Tropical cyclones are a common and devastating natural disaster in many coastal areas of the world. As the intensity and frequency of cyclones will increase under the most likely future climate change scenarios, appropriate approaches at local scales (1-5 km) are essential for producing sufficiently detailed hazard models. These models are used to develop mitigation plans and strategies for reducing the impacts of cyclones. This study developed and tested a hazard modelling approach for cyclone impacts in Sarankhola upazila, a 151 km2 local government area in coastal Bangladesh. The study integrated remote sensing, spatial analysis and field data to model cyclone generated hazards under a climate change scenario at local scales covering < 1000 km2. A storm surge model integrating historical cyclone data and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was used to generate the cyclone hazard maps for different cyclone return periods. Frequency analysis was carried out using historical cyclone data (1960 - 2015) to calculate the storm surge heights of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 year return periods of cyclones. Local sea level rise scenario of 0.34 m for the year 2050 was simulated with 20 and 50 years return periods. Our results showed that cyclone affected areas increased with the increase of return periods. Around 63% of study area was located in the moderate to very high hazard zones for 50 year return period, while it was 70% for 100 year return period. The climate change scenarios increased the cyclone impact area by 6-10 % in every return period. Our findings indicate this approach has potential to model the cyclone hazards for developing mitigation plans and strategies to reduce the future impacts of cyclones.
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paper_title: Assessing the Impacts of Tropical Cyclones

paper_content:

Tropical Cyclone (TC) Tracy impacted Darwin early on Christmas Day, 1974, resulting in 71 deaths, the destruction of thousands of homes and the evacuation of over 35000 people. Several factors contributed to the widespread destruction, including the intensity of the cyclone, vegetation overhanging buildings and construction materials employed in Darwin at the time. Since 1974, the population of Darwin has grown rapidly, from 46000 to nearly 115000 in 2006. If TC Tracy were to strike Darwin in 2008, the impacts could be catastrophic. However, tools such as Geoscience Australia's Tropical Cyclone Risk Model (TCRM) could be used to allow emergency managers to plan for such a scenario. We perform a validation of TCRM to assess the impacts TC Tracy would have on the 1974 landscape of Darwin, and compare the impacts to those determined from a post-impact survey. We find an underestimate of the damage at 36% of replacement cost (RC), compared to survey estimate of 50-60% RC. Some of this deficit can be accounted for through the effects of large debris. Qualitatively, TCRM can spatially replicate the damage inflicted on Darwin by the small cyclone, identifying localised areas of increased damage. For the 2008 scenario, TCRM indicates a nearly 90% reduction in the overall damage (% RC) over the Darwin region. Once again, the spatial nature of the damage is captured well, with the greatest damage inflicted close to the eye of the cyclone. Areas that have been developed since 1974 such as Palmerston suffer very little damage due to the small extent of the severe winds. The northern suburbs, rebuilt in the years following TC Tracy, are much more resilient, largely due to the influence of very high building standards in place between 1975 and 1980.
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paper_title: Evaluation of coastal inundation hazard for present and future climates

paper_content:

Coastal inundation from hurricane storm surges causes catastrophic damage to lives and property, as evidenced by recent hurricanes including Katrina and Wilma in 2005 and Ike in 2008. Changes in hurricane activity and sea level due to a warming climate, together with growing coastal population, are expected to increase the potential for loss of property and lives. Current inundation hazard maps: Base Flood Elevation maps and Maximum of Maximums are computationally expensive to create in order to fully represent the hurricane climatology, and do not account for climate change. This paper evaluates the coastal inundation hazard in Southwest Florida for present and future climates, using a high resolution storm surge modeling system, CH3D-SSMS, and an optimal storm ensemble with multivariate interpolation, while accounting for climate change. Storm surges associated with the optimal storms are simulated with CH3D-SSMS and the results are used to obtain the response to any storm via interpolation, allowing accurate representation of the hurricane climatology and efficient generation of hazard maps. Incorporating the impact of anticipated climate change on hurricane and sea level, the inundation maps for future climate scenarios are made and affected people and property estimated. The future climate scenarios produce little change to coastal inundation, due likely to the reduction in hurricane frequency, except when extreme sea level rise is included. Calculated coastal inundation due to sea level rise without using a coastal surge model is also determined and shown to significantly overestimate the inundation due to neglect of land dissipation.
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paper_title: Digital elevation based flood hazard and vulnerability study at various return periods in Sirajganj Sadar Upazila, Bangladesh

paper_content:

The objectives of the study are flood hazard mapping and crops and settlement vulnerability assessment in a low laying riverine flood prone area of Bangladesh for different flood magnitudes. Flood hazard maps have been developed for different flood magnitudes integrating the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data of Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) and interpolation of water level height of different water stations. Frequency analysis has been carried out to determine the water level of 2.33, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100-year return periods flood. Landuse or land cover map has been generated from the LANDSAT satellite images supervised classification. Vulnerability functions of risk elements and flood hazard maps are analyzed in GIS environment to develop vulnerability maps. Most of the settlement vulnerable areas were found in low laying lands from the settlement and crops vulnerability maps. This flood hazard vulnerability map can be used for selecting the type of crops and area for cultivation during the monsoon period on the basis of magnitudes of inundation of different flood zones.
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paper_title: Modelling the risk of cyclone wave damage to coral reefs using GIS: a case study of the Great Barrier Reef, 1969–2003

paper_content:

Tropical cyclones (hurricanes and typhoons) produce high winds that can generate waves capable of damaging coral reefs. As cyclones frequently pass through northeast Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR), it is important to understand how the spatial distribution of reef damage changes over time. However, direct measurements of wave damage, or even wave heights or wind speeds, are rare within the GBR. An important factor in estimating whether cyclone damage was possible is the magnitude and duration of high‐energy wind and waves. Thus, before the spatio‐temporal dynamics of past cyclone damage can be modelled, it is necessary to reconstruct the spread, intensity, and duration of high‐energy conditions during individual cyclones. This was done every hour along the track taken by each of 85 cyclones that passed near the GBR from 1969 to 2003, by implementing a cyclone wind hindcasting model directly within a raster GIS using cyclone data available from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Three measures of cyclone energy (maximum wind speed—MAX, duration of gales—GALES, and continuous duration of gales—CGALES) were derived from these data. For three cyclones, where field data documenting actual reef damage from cyclone‐generated waves were available, the predictive ability of each measure was assessed statistically. All three performed better in predicting reef damage at sites surveyed along the high‐energy reef front than those surveyed along the more protected reef back. MAX performed best for cyclone Joy (r 2 = 0.5), while CGALES performed best for cyclones Ivor (r 2 = 0.23) and Justin (r 2 = 0.48). Using thresholds for MAX and GALES obtained via comparison with field data of damage, it was possible to produce a preliminary prediction of the risk of wave damage across the GBR from each of the 85 cyclones. The results suggest that while up to two‐thirds of the GBR was at risk from some damage for 30–50% of the time series (∼18 out of 35 years), only scattered areas of the region were at risk more frequently than that.
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paper_title: Assessing climate change impacts, sea level rise and storm surge risk in port cities: a case study on Copenhagen

paper_content:

This study illustrates a methodology to assess the economic impacts of climate change at a city scale and benefits of adaptation, taking the case of sea level rise and storm surge risk in the city of Copenhagen, capital of Denmark. The approach is a simplified catastrophe risk assessment, to calculate the direct costs of storm surges under scenarios of sea level rise, coupled to an economic input-output (IO) model. The output is a risk assessment of the direct and indirect economic impacts of storm surge under climate change, including, for example, production and job losses and reconstruction duration, and the benefits of investment in upgraded sea defences. The simplified catastrophe risk assessment entails a statistical analysis of storm surge characteristics, geographical-information analysis of population and asset exposure combined with aggregated vulnerability information. For the city of Copenhagen, it is found that in absence of adaptation, sea level rise would significantly increase flood risks. Results call for the introduction of adaptation in long-term urban planning, as one part of a comprehensive strategy to manage the implications of climate change in the city. Mitigation policies can also aid adaptation by limiting the pace of future sea level rise.
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paper_title: Risk assessment on storm surges in the coastal area of Guangdong Province

paper_content:

The coastal area of Guangdong Province is one of the most developed regions in China. It is also often under severe risk of storm surges, as one of the few regions in China which are seriously threatened by storm surges. Based on the data of storm surges in the study area in the past 30 years, the return periods of 18 tide stations for storm surge are calculated separately. Using the spatial analysis technology of ArcGIS, combined with the topography data of the study area, the submerged scope for storm surge in the coastal area of Guangdong Province is determined, and the hazard assessment is carried out. According to the view of systematic point, this article quotes the result of vulnerability assessment which was done by the author in the previous research. Based on the hazard evaluation and vulnerability evaluation, risk assessment of storm surges in the study region is done, and the risk zoning map is drawn. According to the assessment, Zhuhai, Panyu and Taishan are classified as the highest risk to storm surges in Guangdong Province; Yangdong, Yangjiang and Haifeng are in higher risk to storm surges; Dongguan, Jiangmen, Baoan and Huidong are in middle risk to storm surges; Zhongshan, Enping, Shanwei, Huiyang, Longgang and Shenzhen are in lower risk of storm surges; Guangzhou, Shunde and Kaiping are in the lowest risk to storm surges. This study builds a complete process for risk assessment of storm surges. It reveals the risk of storm surges in the coastal cities, and it would guide the land use of coastal cities in the future and provide scientific advices to the government for the prevention and mitigation of storm surge disaster. It has important theoretical and practical significance. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
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paper_title: Vulnerability from storm surges and cyclone wind fields on the coast of Andhra Pradesh, India

paper_content:

The results presented here are from a study conducted for the government of the state of Andhra Pradesh (GOAP) in India, as part of a World Bank project on cyclone mitigation. A set of detailed maps were prepared depicting the Physical Vulnerability (PV), specifically storm surge inundation zones are shown for frequent occurrence, 50-year return period, likely scenario for global warming and extreme global warming. Similarly vulnerable areas from strong wind field from tropical cyclones (TCS) are also presented for the same four parameters. Vulnerability zones are presented from a social point of view also based upon certain socio-economic parameters that were included in determining the overall vulnerability of each Mandal in a coastal district (a Mandal represents a group of villages and towns) include: population, senior citizens, women, children under different age groups, type of housing, income level, cyclone shelters, hospitals and medical centres, schools and caste based population. The study is about scenarios that could happen if global warming and the predicted intensification of TCS actually occur as predicted by some numerical models.
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paper_title: Applications of remote sensing and GIS for damage assessment

paper_content:

Remotely sensed imagery data from satellites and airborne platforms have become important tools to assess vulnerability of urban areas and to grasp damage distribution due to natu- ral disasters. The platform and sensors of remote sensing should be selected considering the area to cover, urgency, weather and time conditions, and resolution of images. Satellites with optical and/or SAR sensors can cover much larger areas than other platforms, and hence, they can be used for macro-scale urban modeling and damage detection in large-scale natural disasters. Aerial tele- vision imagery and photography are very useful to observe buildings and infrastructures with high resolution. Thus automated detection of damage is possible using only post-event images or both pre- and post-event images. Use of airborne SAR is also highlighted for 3D urban modeling. In this paper, recent developments and applications of advanced technologies, notably, remote sensing and GIS, are reviewed from the viewpoint of risk assessment and post-event disaster management.
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paper_title: Mapping severe damage to land cover following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami using moderate spatial resolution satellite imagery

paper_content:

Visual analysis of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 250m before-and-after event imagery along 11 335 km of South East Asia and East Africa's coastline identified major changes to land cover along 1 220 km of coast caused by the tsunami of 26 December 2004. Over 81 000 ha of land were mapped as lost or severely damaged. High spatial resolution images (10-32 m) from the Terra satellite's Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer, Disaster Monitoring Constellation's Surrey Linear Imager and the Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) provided verification. Area estimates of damaged land from MODIS were within 17% of the estimates made using high spatial resolution systems. Errors of commission and omission were estimated at 14% and 31%, respectively. The correlation between damage estimates from MODIS and high spatial resolution systems resulted in an R 2 of 0.73 at the 99.5% confidence level, with MODIS proving especially effective at mapping tsunami-damaged areas greater in size than 150 ha. Correcting the original area estimate to account for errors of omission and commission using the regression model gave a revised figure of 103 854 ha of land damaged. Land cover types could not be assigned from the MODIS pre-and post-disaster image pairs, but interpretation of pre-disaster ETM imagery for the damaged areas indicated that around 5% was previously classed as barren, 11% as urban, 14% forest and 70% rural. The study provides confirmation that moderate resolution satellite imagery can provide rapid assessments of severe damage to land resources (though not cover type), as well as confirmation of non-affected areas, over very large geographical regions in the aftermath of natural disasters such as the tsunami.
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paper_title: Rapid damage assessment using high-resolution remote sensing imagery: Tools and techniques

paper_content:

Accurate damage assessment due to major natural and anthropogenic disasters is becoming critical due to increasing human and economic losses. This increase in loss of life and severe damages can be attributed to the growing population, and human migration and settlements in disaster prone regions of the world. Rapid damage assessment and dissemination of accurate information is critical for creating an effective emergency response. Remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) based techniques and tools are playing an important function in disaster damage assessment and reporting activities. In this review, we will look into the current state of art, in damage assessment using remote sensing and GIS based techniques.
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paper_title: Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques for Natural Disaster Monitoring

paper_content:

On 26 Dec 2004, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurred off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Over 300,000 people lost their lives in this disaster. Areas near to the epicentre in Indonesia, especially Aceh, were devastated by the earthquake and tsunamis.
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Title: Tropical cyclone disaster management using remote sensing and spatial analysis: A review

Section 1: Introduction
Description 1: Provide an overview of the impact of tropical cyclones, summarize the role of remote sensing and spatial analysis in cyclone disaster management, and outline the structure of the paper.

Section 2: Tropical cyclone disaster management and its information requirements
Description 2: Discuss the two phases of cyclone disaster management (post-disaster and pre-disaster), and detail the information needed for effective management in each phase.

Section 3: Evaluation of remote sensing and spatial analysis techniques and the datasets appropriate for tropical cyclone disaster management
Description 3: Evaluate various remote sensing and spatial analysis techniques and datasets, highlighting their effectiveness and suitability for different cyclone management tasks.

Section 4: Response and recovery
Description 4: Explain the importance of the response and recovery phases, and describe techniques and datasets used for impact and recovery assessment, including change detection and data mining.

Section 5: Change detection
Description 5: Detail the process and significance of change detection in assessing cyclone impacts and recovery, including pre-classification and post-classification methods.

Section 6: Prevention/Reduction
Description 6: Discuss the prevention/reduction phase, focusing on risk assessment methods, including risk assessment equations, criteria and scale selection, and multi-criteria decision making.

Section 7: Preparedness
Description 7: Cover the preparedness phase, emphasizing risk modelling techniques and their importance in developing realistic future risk scenarios.

Section 8: Challenges in managing tropical cyclone impact using remote sensing and spatial analysis
Description 8: Identify and discuss the challenges faced in using remote sensing and spatial analysis for cyclone disaster management, including data availability, processing techniques, and expertise requirements.

Section 9: Future Directions
Description 9: Highlight potential future research areas and advancements in technology that could improve cyclone disaster management.

Section 10: Summary
Description 10: Summarize the key points discussed in the paper and provide recommendations for selecting appropriate datasets and processing techniques for effective tropical cyclone disaster management.