Enhancing landslide hazard prevention: Mapping vulnerability via considering the effects of human factors

Vulnerability mapping is necessary to reduce the effects of a landslide disaster. This study presents an approach to map vulnerability induced by a landslide hazard. The vulnerability was assessed by improved multi-criteria decision making (MCDM), in which the effects of human factors were incorporated. In the proposed approach, the weights of the indicators and factors were calculated using an integration method, including a grey decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to calculate each index and factor's weight. The effect of human factors is expressed as the ability of residents to cope with hazards in a community, which is evaluated by the adaptability index layer. The adaptability index layer includes four factors: gender ratio, age, education and medical resources. VIKOR is used to score and rank the adaptability index layer. The vulnerability is then mapped using geographic information system (GIS). A case study of historical landslides in Heyuan, China, was used for validation. The results demonstrate that 17.91 % of Heyuan has the highest vulnerability, which is higher than that from the traditional method (13.76 %). The model, considering adaptability, can predict areas with high vulnerability more accurately. Management recommendations are proposed via the following four specific aspects: i) urban vulnerability management and planning; ii) inter-regional differences in socio-economic vulnerability; iii) individual perceptions of landslides and iv) enhancing urban planning and strategies in similar cities.