Integrating Geomorphological Risk Zoning in Urban Master Plans to Enhance Climate Resilience of Critical Infrastructures

Urban areas are increasingly exposed to geomorphological hazards such as landslides, subsidence, flooding, and erosion, which are exacerbated by climate change and rapid urbanization. These hazards pose severe threats to the functionality and safety of critical infrastructures, including transportation networks, energy facilities, and public buildings. Despite the growing recognition of climate resilience in urban planning, the integration of geomorphological risk zoning into urban master plans remains limited, particularly in rapidly expanding cities of the Global South. This study proposes a comprehensive framework to embed geomorphological risk zoning into urban master plans as a strategic approach to enhance the climate resilience of critical infrastructures. Using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) combined with GIS-based spatial modeling, geomorphological hazards were mapped and prioritized according to their potential impacts on urban infrastructures. The proposed framework was tested through a case study, demonstrating how hazard zoning can be systematically aligned with land-use regulations, building codes, and infrastructure planning. Results highlight that integrating geomorphological risk zoning improves the adaptability of urban master plans, reduces infrastructure vulnerability, and provides decision-makers with robust tools for proactive climate adaptation. The findings also emphasize the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, involving geoscientists, urban planners, and policymakers, to mainstream hazard considerations into urban governance. Ultimately, this study contributes to advancing sustainable urban development by bridging the gap between geomorphological science and climate-resilient infrastructure planning, offering a replicable model for cities worldwide facing similar environmental and developmental challenges.

کلیدواژه ها:

Geomorphological hazards ، Risk zoning ، Climate resilience ، Urban master plans ، Critical infrastructures ، GIS-MCDA