URBAN FLOOD RESILIENCE: A MULTI-CRITERIA EVALUATION USING AHP AND TOPSIS

Floods are increasingly recognized as one of the most destructive natural disasters, driven by urban expansion, climate change, and unregulated development. This is particularly true in developing countries, where rapid urbanization has increased impervious surfaces, amplifying flood risks in urban areas. This study focuses on Albania, evaluating urban resilience against floods through the lens of water-related disaster data. Using a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach, specifically the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), the research assesses flood vulnerability and resilience in rapidly urbanizing regions. Integrating AHP and TOPSIS with mixed methods introduces a novel approach, offering a comprehensive evaluation framework for flood risk management. The findings highlight critical vulnerabilities and suggest that targeted urban planning and disaster mitigation efforts can enhance resilience. Future research could incorporate climate projections and granular urban data, supporting a more adaptive flood management strategy.