Development of a PostGIS-based method for creating risk maps of natural disasters using the example of Georgia
Abstract
This article discusses a method for creating a risk map of natural disasters for a specific area using PostGIS analysis. This method, which is described in detail, is based entirely on the use of open-source programs and spatial SQL directives. It is designed to use widely available GIS programs to create a flexible method that performs operations on OGC geometry. The area to be analyzed is covered with a polygonal grid. The size of the polygon is determined by the size of the study area. For each element of the grid (polygon), attribute values are determined for the traits characteristic of the area: seismic, landslide, mudflow, rockfall, population density, and number of buildings. The attribution values for geometry are assigned based on PostGIS analysis. The process of creating a risk map involves the summation of different hazard maps. Our method’s originality lies in the fact that the initial data is transformed so that it is possible to carry out map algebra operations with vector data. The method is designed to create risk maps based on OGC vector data analysis, which will help experts and stakeholders working on risk assessment and decision-making to develop a risk management strategy.
Keyword : risk map, natural hazard, vulnerability, PostGIS analysis, spatial SQL
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Aye, Z. C., Jaboyedoff, M., Derron, M. H., & van Westen, C. (2015). Prototype of a web-based participative decision support platform in natural hazards and risk management. International Journal of Geo-Information, 4(3), 1201–1224.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi4031201
CENN. (2018). Geoportal of natural hazards and risks in Georgia. http://drm.cenn.org/index.php/en/hazards-and-risks/hazard
Fell, R., Corominas, J., Bonnard, C., Cascini, L., Leroi, E., & Savage, W. (2008). Guidelines for landslide susceptibility, hazard and risk zoning for land use planning. Engineering Geology, 102(3–4), 85–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2008.03.022
GIS Geography. (2020). https://gisgeography.com/map-algebra-global-zonal-focal-local/
ITC. (2018). ILWIS. https://www.itc.nl/ilwis/
MapServer Team. (2017). MapServer. MapServer Documentation Release 7.6.1. http://www.mapserver.org/pdf/MapServer.pdf
PostGIS Development Team. (2017). PostGIS 2.3.3 Manual. http://download.osgeo.org/postgis/docs/postgis-2.3.3.pdf
QGIS User Guide, Release 2.14. (2017). http://docs.qgis.org/2.14/pdf/en/QGIS-2.14-UserGuide-en.pdf
United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. (2004). Terminology of disaster risk reduction. https://www.undrr.org/publication/2009-unisdr-terminology-disaster-risk-reduction
Varnes, D. J. (1984). Landslide hazard zonation: A review of principles and practice. Natural Hazards, (3).
van Westen, C. (2018a). Atlas of natural hazards & risks of Georgia. Caucasus Environmental NGO Network, Tbilisi.
van Westen, C. (2018b). Hazard, vulnerability and risk analysis. In ILWIS applications guide. ITC. 19 03. https://www.itc.nl/ilwis/pdf/appch01.pdf
van Westen, C. (2013). Remote sensing and GIS for natural hazards assessment and disaster risk management. In J. Shroder, & M. P. Bishop (Eds.), Treatise on geomorphology: Vol. 3. Remote sensing and GIScience in geomorphology (pp. 259–298). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-374739-6.00051-8
van Westen, C., Castellanos, A., & Kuriakose, S. L. (2008). Spatial data for landslide susceptibility, hazard, and vulnerability assessment: An overview. Engineering Geology, 102(3–4), 112–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2008.03.010
van Westen, C., & Damen, M. (2013). National Scale Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment, with an example of Georgia. University Twente, Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC).