An assessment framework for evaluating urban flood vulnerabilities using Night-Time Light data

Nuwani Kangana; Nayomi Kankanamge

doi:10.3934/urs.2025003

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An assessment framework for evaluating urban flood vulnerabilities using Night-Time Light data

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

An assessment framework for evaluating urban flood vulnerabilities using Night-Time Light data

Nuwani Kangana and Nayomi Kankanamge

Urban Resilience and Sustainability, Vol.3(1), pp.57-85

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3934/urs.2025003

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Abstract

night-time light data

urban flooding

urban resilience

vulnerability assessment

web application

Urban floods pose significant socio-economic and environmental challenges, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. We utilized Night-Time Light (NTL) data as a dynamic proxy for human activity and urban density to enhance the assessment of urban flood vulnerability. Unlike traditional methods that rely on static datasets or post-disaster surveys, this approach incorporates real-time NTL data to better capture the evolving patterns of urban exposure. Focusing on the Kelani River watershed, the most flood-prone and densely populated region in Sri Lanka, we integrated nine conditioning factors, including slope, precipitation, and soil type, with NTL intensity to generate comprehensive vulnerability maps. To ensure the accessibility and practical application of the results, a web application was developed using Google Earth Engine (GEE), offering an interactive platform for real-time visualization of urban flood risks. The findings underlined the transformative potential of NTL data in flood vulnerability mapping and demonstrated its applicability as a cost-effective, scalable, and open-access decision-support tool adaptable to various urban contexts.

Details

Title: An assessment framework for evaluating urban flood vulnerabilities using Night-Time Light data
Authors: Nuwani Kangana - University of Moratuwa
Nayomi Kankanamge (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Bioclimatic and Sociotechnical Cities Lab
Publication details: Urban Resilience and Sustainability, Vol.3(1), pp.57-85
Publisher: AIMS Press
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.3934/urs.2025003
ISSN: 2837-4126
Copyright note: © 2025 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
Organisation Unit: Bioclimatic and Sociotechnical Cities Lab; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991144237802621
Output Type: Journal article

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