Water resilience mapping of Chennai, India using analytical hierarchy process

• Published in: Ecological processes 2021-12, Vol.10 (1), p.1-22, Article 71
• Main Authors: Kaaviya, R., Devadas, V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adequacy; AHP; Analysis; Analytic hierarchy process; Climate change; Climate change mitigation; Decision analysis; Decision making; Drought; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Geographic information systems; Geographical information systems; GIS; Global climate; Information systems; Mitigation; Multi-criteria decision analysis; Multiple criterion; Parameter sensitivity; Remote sensing; Resilience; Resource management; Sensitivity analysis; Water resilience; Water resources; Water resources management; Water supply systems
• ISSN: 2192-1709; 2192-1709
• DOI: 10.1186/s13717-021-00341-1

Background The urban water system is the worst hit in global climate change. Water resilience is the system’s ability to retaliate and recover from various water-related disruptions. The present study aims to delineate the water resilience zones in Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, India, by effectively integrating the geographic information system, remote sensing, and analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Methods The methodology incorporated 15 vital factors. A multi-criteria decision analysis technique was adopted to assign a weight to each parameter using the AHP. A pairwise decision matrix was constructed, parameter’s relative importance and the consistency ratio were established. Integration of all maps by weighted overlay analysis technique depicted water resilience intensities of five different classes. Results Very low, low and moderate water resilience areas accounted for more than three-fourth of the study area. Area Under Curve score (80.12%) depicted the accuracy of the developed model. Sensitivity analysis determined the significance of the parameters in the delineation. The logical structural approach can be employed in other parts of India or elsewhere with modifications. Conclusion This study is novel in its approach by holistically analyzing water resilience by integrating disruptions related to flood, drought and the city's water infrastructure system's adequacy and efficiency. Researchers and planners can effectively use the study results to ensure resilience as a new perspective on effective water resource management and climate change mitigation. It becomes a decision aid mechanism identifying where the system is vulnerable to potential water-related risks for employing resilience measures.