DETERMINING FLOOD SHELTER LOCATIONS: A MULTI-CRITERIA SPATIAL ANALYSIS USING GIS TOOLS

Globally, natural hazards (e.g., forest fires, floods, earthquakes) are expected to become more frequent and severe due to climate change, unplanned urbanization, and population growth in areas prone to extreme events. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the most suitable locations for flood shelters using multi-criteria spatial analysis using GIS tools. GIS tools facilitate the effective preparation, processing, and visualization of spatial data. By using GIS, it is possible to integrate various data sources, simulate potential flooding scenarios, and analyze spatial relationships between different factors that affect the safety and effectiveness of shelters. Multi-criteria spatial analysis integrates multiple criteria into the decision-making process, ensuring a comprehensive approach to evaluating the safety and suitability of potential sites. Criteria considered in this analysis include elevation, terrain slope, slope orientation, land use, proximity to water bodies, and distance to built-up areas. The use of GIS tools for multi-criteria spatial analysis ensures that all relevant information is taken into account when selecting optimal locations for shelters. This approach enables the development of evacuation models that can contribute to local planning and decision-making, to improve the resilience of communities to flooding and reduce the risk of losses from these natural disasters. The methodology developed for the selection of optimal locations for shelters will provide guidelines for flood protection planning. Additionally, the methodology could be applied in other cities and regions facing similar challenges, thus promoting the wider use of GIS technologies in disaster risk management.