Prioritization of Vulnerability Criteria in Azimiyeh (Karaj) Against the Flood based on the Delphi Method

Iran is among the 10 most vulnerable countries in the world. Among natural disasters which caused this vulnerability, flood has high priority. Paying attention to the vulnerability of the country as well as the vulnerability of cities against the natural disasters threats is one of the most important aspects of development planning. Hence, making decision in urban areas is one of the most important issues in modern management. The purpose of current research is to prioritize urban vulnerability to floods using Delphi method. The statistical population includes specialists who had sufficient knowledge and experience in the field of vulnerability management in urban areas. To carry out this research, initially the factors influencing urban vulnerability to floods was determined through literature review. After that effective indicators were ranked and selected using expert’s opinion and Delphi method. Based on the results, the main channel transmission capacity and flood control operations with 30.2%, drainage density with 29%, topographic conditions and land use of urban area with 28.6% were the most important criteria. The results of this study demonstrated that Delfi method is an appropriate and acceptable tool to development effective indicators in depicting of the cities vulnerability against floods.