Analytical Framework for Social Vulnerability Indicators in Flood Risk Mapping by GIS: A Case Study of Tebessa City, Algeria

This study develops a GIS-based analytical framework to analyze social vulnerability to flooding in Tebessa, northeastern Algeria.Three categories of indicators-social, economic, and physical-were analyzed using recent spatial and statistical datasets.The results show that the highest levels of vulnerability are concentrated in the historic city center and surrounding informal settlements, where population density, poverty rates, and building density are significantly elevated.These areas also contain aging infrastructure and intense commercial activity, which together amplify exposure and reduce the capacity to cope with flood hazards.In contrast, peripheral districts exhibit lower vulnerability due to newer construction, improved planning, and lower demographic pressure.The integrated mapping of these indicators allowed the identification of vulnerability hotspots and provided a spatially explicit understanding of risk patterns across the city.The study highlights the need for targeted interventions aimed at infrastructure improvement, drainage enhancement, and social support to strengthen flood resilience in Tebessa.