Flood risk assessment model using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process

Abstract

Sustainable development and natural disasters are closely interlinked. The impact of catastrophic events on the environment is still very difficult to determine, and such losses are generally underestimated. Development is never neutral in relation to catastrophes: it creates, enhances or reduces the risk of their occurrence. Selection of appropriate methods and mathematical models for risk assessment in relation to the specific features and characteristics of the considered system and available information and resources, is a key parameter of reliability assessment. Numerous authors applied AHP methods with flood risk assessment, but very limited literature is avaliable on the use of fuzzy multiobjective analysis in flood studies. In the recent years, the fuzzy approach for flood risk assessments has gained greater importance. In this paper, we present the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) model for flood risk assessments. Two flood hazard indexes were defined, one based on natural factors and one based on anthropogenic factors. FAHP is applied to data sets to illustrate a model.