1. Background and Aim
Urban deteriorated fabrics, due to physical degradation, weak infrastructure, high population density, and limited accessibility, are highly vulnerable to natural and human induced crises. These challenges complicate crisis management in such areas, emphasizing the necessity of resilience assessment. The present study aims to assess the physical resilience of District 4 in Urmia, rank its four subdistricts based on resilience levels, and propose practical strategies to reduce their vulnerability.
2. Methods and Material
This study employs a descriptive analytical approach and utilizes the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model to evaluate and rank the subdistricts. To delineate the study area, maps related to the examined indicators including building quality and age, population and building density, plot area, number of floors, construction materials, and street width were generated and analyzed using ArcGIS software. The collected data were weighted and processed using Expert Choice software.
3. Results and Discussion
The results indicate that Subdistrict 2, with a score of 0.196, has the lowest resilience and the highest vulnerability to urban crises, whereas Subdistrict 1, with a score of 0.304, benefits from more favorable physical conditions and infrastructure, exhibiting greater resilience. The key factors contributing to reduced resilience in the study area include the high age of buildings, the use of substandard materials, narrow streets, and excessive population and building density. To improve resilience, several measures have been proposed, including street network rehabilitation, structural retrofitting of buildings, urban infrastructure development, financial incentives for urban renewal, expansion of safe open spaces, and landuse revision. Implementing these strategies within a strategic planning framework, with active participation from urban management authorities, executive institutions, and local residents, can significantly enhance the physical resilience of the area and reduce its vulnerability to potential crises.