Mapping of Cyclone Disaster Vulnerability using Geospatial Techniques and Analytical Hierarchy Process: Implications for Resilient Urban Planning in Coastal City of Southern Tamil Nadu

This study introduces a novel integrated approach for cyclone disaster vulnerability assessment in Thoothukudi Coastal City, Tamil Nadu uniquely combining Geographic Information Systems with Analytical Hierarchy Process methodology at neighbourhood scale. The research systematically analysed ten vulnerability parameters under five categories: meteorological (wind speed), coastal topography (distance from coast, elevation), geomorphological (aspect, drainage density), infrastructure-demographic (population density, building density, road network density) and environmental (land use/land cover, vegetation cover). Unlike previous regional assessments, this study developed a comprehensive neighbourhood-level vulnerability framework specifically calibrated for coastal urban planning applications. The innovation lies in the integration of both physical exposure and socio-economic sensitivity parameters through expert-driven AHP analysis which established refined parameter weightages with wind speed (30%), coastal proximity (12%) and elevation (12%) emerging as dominant factors. The vulnerability mapping revealed that only 25.80% of the municipality falls under high to very high vulnerability zones predominantly in eastern coastal areas while 64.37% exhibits moderate vulnerability. The research uniquely translates vulnerability science into actionable urban planning interventions including vulnerability-based zoning regulations, enhanced building standards in high-risk zones, strategic infrastructure placement and climate-responsive green infrastructure development. This study represents the comprehensive cyclone vulnerability assessment for Thoothukudi coastal city that bridges the gap between disaster science and practical urban planning by providing a replicable methodology for other coastal urban centres facing similar hazards.