Factors Affecting the Earthquakes and Evaluation of the Vulnerability of Municipal Areas From the Point of View of Passive Defense in Kermanshah Metropolis

The absence of regulations in close proximity to fault lines, disregard for non-structural defense in urban planning, and failure to adhere to construction standards can result in modifications to urban development. Crisis management experiences indicate that residential areas are predominantly concentrated in zones prone to seismic activity, necessitating the protection of urban spaces and the mitigation of ineffective damages. This study aims to identify the environmental, physical-spatial, social, and economic components, along with their influential indicators, and comprehensively assess the vulnerabilities and earthquake-prone areas. Furthermore, it aims to redefine risk reduction strategies based on the findings of this analysis.

The present study is classified as a descriptive study wherein the process of data collection and analysis has been employed. A cohort of 30 specialists was chosen, and their survey outcomes concerning the condition of the municipal areas of Kermanshah were evaluated using a Fuzzy TOPSIS model. The model's output was graphically represented as a map prepared by GIS software, and the analysis of the resultant map was conducted to compare urban areas in relation to physical growth.

The results indicate that regions 8 and 4 exhibit the minimum susceptibility, region 5 ranking third, region 1 ranking fourth, regions 2 and 3 ranking fifth, region 6 ranking sixth, and region 7 ranking seventh.

The susceptibility of the eight primary districts in Kermanshah is ascribed to their spatial proximity and distance from fault lines, the socioeconomic standing of the inhabitants, the structural resilience, the presence of accessible areas and emergency facilities, the density of the population, the proximity of neighborhoods, and the existence of dilapidated residential areas.