GIS based flood risk assessment at the World heritage site of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR | |
| Author | Yengher Vacha |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.UWEM-15-06 |
| Subject(s) | Floods--Risk assessment--Laos--Luang Prabang Floods--Geographic information systems--Laos---Luang Prabang |
| Note | 115 leaves : ill. (some col.) |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. UWEM-15-06 |
| Abstract | Literature shows that there are relatively few studies in flood risk assessment at the areas of world heritage sites, while these historic properties embodied with valuable properties which may not be able to recover once damaged by floodwaters. The World Heritage Site of LuangPrabang is recently increased pressure from flood hazard due to the changing of precipitation, r iver water levels and new urbanization ar eas . Nevertheless, it likely lacks of flood risk assessment has been taken at the site. This study can be seen as the first study which consider s i ssues in relation to flood hazard, vulnerability and risk in the area. Thereby, t he quali tative data and meth od which are based on resident and expert perceptions are applied for collecting data (including questionnaire surveys, field observations and mapping, interviews and discussions with local people) and producing flood vulnerability, hazard and risk maps fo r the world heritage site. The study has indentified three types of f loods that can occur at the area which are fluvial, pluvial and flash floods. A flood hazard map shows the territory affected and threatened by such kinds of floods has been developed. Th e main characteristics of the world heritage site have been carried out for addressing dimensions (including cultural, natural, architectural heritage and so cial) of vulnerability. The combination of these four dimensions is represented as the vulnerabilit y map ; and the multiplication of the flood vulnerability map and hazard map is resulted the flood risk map. The study has found that fluvial and pluvial floods are more hazardous to the study area, but they likely occur individually. The four dimensions of vulnerability, cultural heritage properties are shown as the lowest vulnerable; while, natural heritage properties especially landscapes and activities along the riverbanks and wetlands are considered as the highest vulnerable to flood hazard. In overall, on the one hand, the study has successfully provided necessary information to draw more attentions from researchers and leaders; on the other hand, given a based methodological approach which can be applied for further flood risk assessment in the world h eritage sites. |
| Year | 2015 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. UWEM-15-06 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Urban Water Engineering and Management (UWEM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Sutat Weesakul;Vojinovic, Zoran;Babel, Mukand Singh |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shrestha, Sangam;Hammond, Michael;Thammarat Koottatep |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Luang Prabang Urban Development and Administration Authority (UDAA);French Agency for Development (AFD) |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology - UNESCO-IHE, 2015 |