A-GIS based disaster risk assessment: The case of Muğla

Disasters are events occurring under the influence of natural and human-caused factors and leading to significant losses of life and property in a short period of time. So, the determination of the local disaster risks and minimizing their destructive effects have an importance both for urban planning and disaster management processes. It is necessary to manage these processes correctly and effectively to ensure environmental, social, and economic sustainability in urban areas which has a dense population and building stock. From this viewpoint, the study aims to reveal the current disaster risks in settlements and coastal areas. Muğla city is determined as the study area. Spatial analyses are performed for disaster risk by using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) tools and Weighted Overlay method considering the natural elements (slope, solar radiation, precipitation, etc.) and built environment elements (land use pattern, etc.) that significantly affect the disaster risk. In addition, satellite images (CORINE Land Cover) are significantly utilized in the analysis process which are obtained through Remote Sensing (RS). The data obtained from these images have provided significant contributions to determining the spatial distribution of the natural and built environment elements and comprising the thematic layers required for risk analysis. The findings obtained from the study and the determinations made within the scope of the Muğla Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Plan (IRAP) prepared by the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) are evaluated comparatively. As a result, it has been seen that the determinations put forward for disaster risks have shown consistency and the disaster risk varies by districts throughout Muğla city