Assessing urban critical infrastructure resilience to flood hazards for Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Thailand | |
| Author | Kittinut Pimpakhun |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.DM-23-02 |
| Subject(s) | Infrastructure (Economics)--Thailand--Bangkok Floods--Risk assessment--Thailand--Bangkok Flood damage prevention--Thailand--Bangkok |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Cities are complex systems that involve multiple dimensions of inter-relationships among the city, its critical infrastructures, and risks. The Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR) is a prime example of a hyper-agglomeration of complexity, continuously emphasising growth over risk reduction measures to address emergent conditions. As a result, the amplification of risk exposure due to cascading disruptions across systems can ultimately magnify the impact of disasters. This research aims to explore the complexity of urban systems in BMR resilience to flood hazards. The research acknowledges the limitations of a silo and engineeringbased resilience studies and uses an integrated qualitative and quantitative approach to assess physical and functional resilience. The method includes four layers: flood hazards, urbanism and urban critical infrastructures (CIs), flood risks and impacts, and functional resilience capacity. Spatial and network analyses via QGIS, System dynamics, and key informant interviews are the main tools used to obtain data. The research reveals that changes and developments influence the BMR's vulnerability to flood in urban economics, population, infrastructure, and coverage. Interdependencies between urban CIs critically impact the system's resilience, with the electric power supply and road transport network being the most critical components. The research also highlights the differences in functional resilience capacity among urban CIs, with Electric Power Supply having the greatest capacity and sanitation having the least. The main challenge in enhancing the resilience of urban CIs in Bangkok is the need for more understanding and neglecting of interdependencies between different sectors and governing bodies initially. The research recommends an integrated approach that considers the interdependencies of individual urban CIs to strengthen the system's resilience. The findings are useful for urban CIs operators, local administrative organisations, and infrastructure planners to ensure the BMR is prepared for future challenges. |
| Year | 2023 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management (DM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Pal, Indrajit |
| Examination Committee(s) | Mukhopadhyay, Anirban;Sarawut Ninsawat |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Her Majesty the Queen’s Scholarships (Thailand) |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2023 |