Abstract

In the UK, the Department for International Development (DIFD) lead the UK’s response to humanitarian disasters for developing countries, coordinating efforts across Government and non-government organisations. With the threat of climate change set to increase the frequency of higher intensity events, it is becoming more important to develop strategies to mitigate the effects of natural hazards; the production of geohazard maps using free and low cost dataset is one such tool toward better disaster risk reduction (DRR). The primary aim of this research was to ascertain how effective free remote sensing data are for use in DRR. I conclude, through reviewing current research and available sensors (RS), that the best available solution for free remote sensing (RS) data is the use of NASA sensors: ASTER and Landsat due to their near-global coverage, longevity of mission and ease of access.

The Vera Basin in south-east Spain is an ideal location for developing such methodologies as it has already been intensively studied, has good RS coverage and is susceptible to various geohazards. This research demonstrated that free data performed well at sub-regional/local government scales. The final representation of risk for each hazard however, was reduced due to the coarse and therefore poor results for representing physical vulnerability (eg the built environment). An accuracy assessment of the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) derived flood hazard maps was carried out soon after a flash-flood event in 2012 and showed that those maps depicted an extreme flash flood event with an accuracy of 83%. The relatively accurate hazard zones could be greatly improved by using complementary, free vector data that are widely available, such as VMap0, OpenStreet Map or digitised layers from GoogleEarth The inclusion of higher-detailed infrastructure and better representation of the urban landscape are all possible from these data.

This study has developed a methodology using free gepomformatic data for rapid geohazard risk mapping, along with some potential applications for producing preparedness maps for inclusion in DRR practices. Even with the limitations discussed, these can be easily overcome. Additionally, with the launch of the new Sentinel satellites over the coming year, there is a strong potential for an improvement to rapid vulnerability mapping. As many developing countries have little to no accurate mapping, the next stage for this research would be to apply it to such regions.

Additional Notes

Supervisor: Dr Richard Teeuw

Course: Master of Philosophy - MPhil

Date Deposited: 2017-05-12

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis12885.html