The role of geographic information systems (GIS) in disaster management and planning

Abstract

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) play a pivotal role in enhancing disaster management and planning by providing spatial analysis capabilities essential for risk assessment, emergency response, and recovery efforts. This paper reviews the integration of GIS technologies into disaster management frameworks, highlighting their applications in hazard mapping, vulnerability assessment, and decision support systems. Case studies from various disaster contexts illustrate the effectiveness of GIS in improving situational awareness and facilitating coordinated responses. The paper also discusses challenges and future directions for optimizing GIS utilization in enhancing disaster resilience. Keywords: GIS, geographic information systems, disaster management, disaster planning, spatial analysis, hazard mapping, vulnerability assessment, emergency response, decision support systems, and disaster resilience Introduction Background on GIS and its relevance to disaster management Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are systems designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial or geographic data. GIS technology integrates common database operations such as query and statistical analysis with maps. The primary purpose of GIS is to allow for the visualization, analysis, and interpretation of data to understand relationships, patterns, and trends.