Zonation of Urban Seismic Vulnerability using ANP model (Case study: Najaf Abad city)

Iran is known as a country with high seismic activities, very large earthquakes with long return periods, wherein the absence of earthquake in an area doesnt indicate permanent stability. Referring to earthquake zoning map of Iran, it is evident that more than 90% of the area of this country rests on the earthquake risk zone. In this context, the evaluation of the seismic vulnerability of different regions of the country in order to reduce the vulnerability of urban communities should be of high priority.
This research is an applied type one and done in analytical method. in addition to introduce the Vulnerability concepts , we used a variety of quantitative and qualitative parameters, on the basis of multi-criteria decision making approach and network analysis process (ANP) assessment of the seismic vulnerability of Najaf Abad. Vulnerability analysis conducted by AHP model and the results of this model are also presented, as well as comparing the results from the ANP and AHP models.
With respect to the vulnerability zoning map of the city, around 30% of developed area of the town is within high and very high vulnerability range and 37% of the town has a medium vulnerability. Finally through overlaying the population distribution map on the vulnerability map it was concluded that more than 51000 individuals are in the high and very high vulnerability zones. Because of the interdependence between the criteria and sub-criteria, the results of ANP is more logical and better adjusted between the two methods with the same conditions.