Leveraging GIS and Remote Sensing for Urban Flood Risk Assessment and Management

Thesis Abstract

Urban flooding presents significant socio-economic and environmental challenges in rapidly expanding cities, where inadequate planning and climate variability exacerbate flood vulnerability. This study aims to develop a comprehensive GIS-Remote Sensing integrated framework for urban flood risk assessment and management, with a focus on enhancing predictive capabilities and informing sustainable intervention strategies. The specific objectives include evaluating the spatial distribution of flood-prone zones, identifying critical urban vulnerabilities, and proposing an evidence-based flood mitigation and adaptation plan. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative spatial data analysis with qualitative stakeholder insights. The study area encompasses the metropolitan city of 2.5 million residents, selected due to its recurrent urban flood episodes over the past decade. The population for the quantitative component comprises satellite imagery, topographical maps, land use/land cover (LULC) datasets, and hydrological data sourced from national agencies, complemented by interview transcripts from local government officials, urban planners, and residents. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select 150 key informants for qualitative interviews, while spatial datasets were collected through high-resolution Landsat 8 OLI and Sentinel-2 imagery, along with digital elevation models (DEMs). Data collection instruments included remote sensing software (e.g., ENVI, ArcGIS), structured questionnaires, and interview guides. The validity and reliability of the instruments were enhanced via pilot testing and cross-verification with official records. Quantitative data analysis involved a combination of GIS spatial analysis, Digital Elevation Model-based flood modeling, and statistical techniques such as multiple regression analysis, Hot Spot analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to validate flood susceptibility zones. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data to capture stakeholder perspectives. The integration of GIS and remote sensing techniques is expected to produce detailed flood risk maps, highlighting spatial vulnerability patterns across the urban landscape. It is anticipated that the study will identify critical flood-prone zones correlated with specific land use types, elevation gradients, drainage infrastructure deficiencies, and urban growth patterns. Key findings are expected to demonstrate the efficacy of remote sensing in detecting flood-prone areas with high temporal and spatial resolution, while GIS spatial analytics will facilitate the prioritization of intervention zones. The results are poised to contribute to the existing literature by providing a replicable, data-driven framework that combines multiple analytical layers for comprehensive flood risk assessment in urban environments. The study advances knowledge by integrating technological tools with participatory stakeholder engagement to create actionable flood management strategies. The primary conclusion underscores the importance of incorporating geospatial intelligence into urban planning and disaster preparedness frameworks, emphasizing the need for regular remote sensing-based monitoring and risk mapping. Based on the findings, policy recommendations include the adoption of updated GIS-based flood management plans, enhancement of drainage infrastructure informed by spatial vulnerability analysis, and the institutionalization of stakeholder-inclusive flood risk communication channels. The study also identifies areas for further research, such as incorporating climate change projections and exploring the socio-economic impacts of flood events through GIS-based socio-spatial modeling. Overall, this research demonstrates the significant potential of leveraging GIS and remote sensing technologies to improve urban flood resilience, offering a scientifically robust toolset for policymakers and urban planners dedicated to sustainable urban development in flood-prone environments.