A practical framework for ensuring resilient housing infrastructure in flood-prone areas

Abstract

Natural hazards result in significant damage to infrastructure systems at regular intervals, and it is impossible to completely prevent or eliminate the occurrence of such hazards. Therefore, the concept of resilience becomes crucial in enhancing the reliability of these infrastructure systems against disasters and facilitating their swift recovery post-disaster. Resilience refers to the capacity of a system or infrastructure to withstand the impact of a disaster and subsequently return to its desired level of performance. Given the unpredictable nature of hazard occurrences and the uncertainty surrounding their effects, accurately predicting future losses or damages caused by these hazards is a formidable challenge. This research establishes a robust framework for assessing the resilience of housing infrastructure in the context of pre- and post-flood scenarios. By integrating a Bayesian Network model, the framework uses comprehensive information obtained from a detailed field survey conducted in a severely flood-affected region in India. The study also pinpoints the most crucial factor for enhancing the resilience of housing infrastructure, offering essential insights for designers, regulators, and key stakeholders.