IUFRI: an Urban Flood Resilience Index improved by flood adaptation strategy

Abstract Assessing urban flood risk is crucial for resilience analysis, particularly in cities like Karaj, which face significant flooding challenges. This study advances the Urban Flood Resilience Index (UFRI) by introducing the Improved UFRI (IUFRI), which incorporates a novel Flood Adaptation Index to evaluate flood preparedness capacity more comprehensively. A key component of the IUFRI is the concept of “Living With Flood” (LWF), which emphasizes the importance of individual attitudes toward flooding, public awareness, education, environmental protection, and social vulnerability. These factors have often been overlooked in traditional flood management strategies, yet they play a critical role in enhancing community resilience. The analysis of flood modeling in Karaj reveals the city’s vulnerability, particularly in older neighborhoods with aging infrastructure. By integrating LWF into flood management strategies, urban planners can foster a more holistic approach to resilience. The findings demonstrate that employing the IUFRI and Flood Adaptation Index significantly enhances the assessment of flood resilience across various districts. The study evaluates and compares IUFRI results from 12 districts in Karaj City, utilizing grey clustering technique for effective spatial analysis. This approach not only identifies areas with similar flood performance but also aids urban managers in prioritizing targeted infrastructure projects and proactive risk management initiatives. Ultimately, this research underscores the necessity of incorporating LWF into urban flood risk assessment frameworks to improve resilience and better prepare communities for future flooding events.