The suitability mapping of an urban spatial structure for earthquake disaster response using a gradient rain optimization algorithm (GROA)

• Published in: Heliyon 2023-10, Vol.9 (10), p.e20525-e20525, Article e20525
• Main Authors: Aghataher, Reza, Rabieifar, Hamidreza, Samany, Najmeh Neysani, Rezayan, Hani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fuzzy analytical hierarchical process; Gradient descent; Quake response; Rain optimization algorithm; Spatial structure; Suitability analysis
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20525

The urban spatial structure has a prominent role in the earthquake response process which should primarily be assessed in the areas that are most vulnerable to earthquake hazards. Search and rescue teams need to map and identify the appropriateness of urban infrastructures for disaster reaction after a quake to enable ease of movement and quick assistance to the casualties. The key objective of this study is to compute the appropriateness of a municipal spatial structure for crisis reaction after a destructive earthquake, with an emphasis on finding the most critical areas (those that are prone to emergency response disruption). The main contribution involves improving a geographic information system (GIS)-based earthquake-triggered hybrid framework for suitability analysis using a fuzzy analytical hierarchical process (FAHP) and gradient rain optimization algorithm (GROA). The modifying of a rain optimization algorithm (ROA) to a GROA based on gradient descent is carried out to avoid local optima, which results in optimizing the identification process of the key locations for emergency response. The planned approach has been executed in Tehran, the capital of Iran. The implementation consequences reveal the supreme crucial areas for emergency response in the study area with a demonstration of the efficiency of the GROA compared to the basic ROA. Both indicate that these sites are located in the west and southwest, while the junction degree and width of the roads are the most significant factors affecting a city's suitability for emergency response. In addition, the GROA is less sensitive to local optima and more economical than the ROA. Moreover, several rescue experts and urban planners expressed their high satisfaction (95 %) with the five-level suitability map for prioritizing the deployments of troops along with the critical area maps for preventing heavy casualties produced by the GROA. •A GIS-based approach for suitability assessment of the urban structure has been introduced.•The proposed method combined the FAHP and gradient rain optimization algorithm.•GROA is less penetrating to local optima and congregated to the least cost earlier than ROA.•The junction degree and width of the road have been detected as the main factors.•The rescue experts and urban planners expressed a high level of satisfaction.