Pre-flood Vulnerability Capacity Assessment Approach for Buildings Located in Floodplain Areas

A Method Applied in the Case of Kabacan, North Cotabato, Philippines

Abstract

This paper develops a new methodology for pre-flood vulnerability assessment approach for buildings located in floodplain urban areas of the Philippines. This method aims to provide baseline data on the location of vulnerable buildings and their flood vulnerability capacities useful in enhancing flood resistivity design and reducing potential flood damages on structures. The five-stage process of the method was tested in the floodplain areas of the Municipality of Kabacan, North Cotabato, Philippines. Results showed flood vulnerability capacities of buildings, namely, threshold, coping, recovery, and adaptive capacities, which became the basis for determining the flood vulnerability index (FVI) of the area. The determinants of vulnerability of buildings were also identified using the proposed assessment method. A map of vulnerable buildings as the final output of the proposed method targets vulnerable areas for flood emergency planning and flood risk management considerations. Further comparative studies on the use of this approach to other areas and studies to include other design parameters, flood exposure, and water flow intensity levels were recommended.