Spatial multidimensional vulnerability assessment index in urban area- A case study Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

Rapid urbanization has increased the risks to and vulnerabilities of urban systems, society, and organizations. In recent years, urban areas have been exposed to multiple hazards such as floods, landslides, storms, and rising sea levels. To reduce exposed elements' risk of and vulnerability to natural hazards, the first requirement is a better understanding of the vulnerable elements as stated in Sendai Framework. Different concepts and approaches can be employed in vulnerability assessment, depending on the scope and context of the study. In this study, the vulnerability concept was based on six dimensions (social, economic, physical, institutional, environmental, and cultural) adapted from the Method for the Improvement of Vulnerability (MOVE) framework. This approach was applied to three industrial urban districts in Selangor, Malaysia: Sepang, Kuala Langat, and Hulu Langat. These are located in the Langat River catchment and consist of 17 mukim (subdistricts). A spatial vulnerability assessment was conducted to determine the areas of very high vulnerability in this study area. A map was subsequently produced that shows the areas classified into five vulnerability categories (very low, low, medium, high, and very high vulnerability). The findings from all the areas studied identified 5.7% in the very high class, 8.9% in the high class, 33.3% in the medium class, 21.6% in the low class, and 30.5% in the very low class. The multidimensional vulnerability assessment used scientific proof to provide information for better understanding to the government, disaster agencies, and local governments so that policy making, and local disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies can improve.