Prioritizing fire risk factors in historic urban cores of India: an analytic hierarchy process approach

Purpose This study aims to present a comprehensive examination of fire risk components in the historic core areas of Indian cities through the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) lens. Urban fire incidents pose significant threats to public safety and infrastructure, necessitating a systematic evaluation of key risk factors. Design/methodology/approach This study presents a comprehensive examination of fire risk components in the historic core areas of Indian cities through the AHP lens. Urban fire incidents pose significant threats to public safety and infrastructure, necessitating a systematic evaluation of key risk factors. Leveraging the AHP methodology, this research identifies and prioritizes critical criteria, including area-level vulnerabilities, socio-economic vulnerabilities, building-level capacities, emergency service capacities and historical fire incidents along with other crucial components. The hierarchical structure facilitates a nuanced analysis, allowing for comparing criteria and alternatives to derive precise priority weights. Findings The findings provide a strategic understanding of the factors contributing to fire risk in the historic urban cores, offering valuable insights for urban planners, emergency service personnel and policymakers. The study emphasizes strategic prioritization through the AHP framework. This study contributes to the broader discourse on urban resilience by offering a robust methodology for assessing and managing fire risks in the dynamic urban landscape of Indian cities. Originality/value This study contributes to the broader discourse on urban resilience by offering a robust methodology for assessing and managing fire risks in the dynamic urban landscape of Indian cities.