From Risk to Resilience: Leveraging GIS for Disaster Risk Reduction and Land Use Management

Abstract

As the global climate continues to evolve, disasters resulting from climate related natural hazards pose significant threats to human lives, infrastructure, and the environment. This has necessitated the need to employ multifaceted approaches that integrate scientific knowledge, policy expertise, and innovative technological solutions. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offer powerful tools for integrating spatial data and analytical techniques to enhance understanding, planning, and decision-making at various scales. The focus of this paper is to provide insight into the synergistic relationship between GIS, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and Land Use Management (LUM). This is based on case studies from the province of KwaZulu-Natal, within which various initiatives have been implemented in response to the flooding and coastal surge events over the past two years. The role of GIS in data collection and spatial analysis toward the quantification and mapping of vulnerabilities, risks and to an extent resilience is critical for this study. This, combined with hazard mapping,informs land use planning decisions to minimize exposure to potential hazards. This study highlights the importance of incorporating of disaster risk assessments into land use zoning, development regulations, and infrastructure planning, policymaking using GIS-based spatial analysis tools. Participatory GIS is also a critical component of DRR and LUM that is explored by the study using sketch maps, digital maps, web viewers and satellite imagery. The study also elucidates the essence of utilising GIS for data management through the creation of spatial databases. Ultimately, GIS is utilised for the overlay of data and mapping the integration of DRR and LUM. Thus, the transformative potential of integrating GIS in disaster risk reduction and land use management to build resilient communities and sustainable human settlements.