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Clustering Technological Hazards Caused by Natural Disasters in Urban Areas Using Interpretative-Structural Modeling (Ism)



Jannat F1 ; Ardalan A2 ; Malekpour M1 ; Masoumi G3 ; Vahiddastjerdi M4 ; Ghazi I1 ; Mahmoodzade A1
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Research Institute of Shakhes Pajouh, Isfahan, Iran
  2. 2. National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Arash Women's Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Source: Proceedings of the 6th International Disaster and Risk Conference: Integrative Risk Management - Towards Resilient Cities# IDRC Davos 2016 Published:2016

Abstract

Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, explosions, fires, etc. have always threaten human lives of different societies. Another more serious risk is technological hazards caused by natural disasters in urban area especially industrial cities and metropolises. Natural disasters in cities might be the cause of huge technological disasters for their residents. That is why countries, particularly industrialized countries, have been added them to the list of hazards that must be managed and they have been strongly prepared for possible disasters caused by such hazards. Given the importance of this issue, this paper attempted to cluster the technological hazards caused by natural disasters in urban areas. Method: Based on earlier studies and interviews with experts, a series of these hazards were identified. These factors were analyzed using interpretive structural modeling technique and finally the relations and sequences of indicators were obtained. Findings: The results showed what is the sequence and relationship of the potential damages caused by the occurrence of the phenomenon on the study population which could be the whole country, a province, a city or an economic sector or a particular activity. Based on the extensive consequences of the hazards, it could be realized what would be the costs and benefits of implementing precautionary and preparedness measures. Conclusions: The study revealed that the most primary outcomes of a major natural disaster include widespread power failure (housing, transportation, banking, industry, trade etc.), failure of oil and gas pipelines, disruptions in satellite systems and communication lines, and interruption in air, sea and land transportation systems. The model also provided an insight that would help urban managers in strategic planning to prepare for the technological hazards caused by natural disasters. © 2016 CURRAN-CONFERENCE. All rights reserved.