Evaluating Urban Vulnerabilities and Post-Earthquake Recovery Seismic Resilience of Qarchak City

Razavian Amrei, Seyed Ali; Taheri, Shima; Samadyar, Hossein

doi:10.22034/ijumes.2025.2051779.1287

Evaluating Urban Vulnerabilities and Post-Earthquake Recovery Seismic Resilience of Qarchak City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Seyed Ali Razavian Amrei

Shima Taheri

Hossein Samadyar

Department of Civil Engineering, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/ijumes.2025.2051779.1287

Abstract

Qarchak city, undergoing rapid and often unregulated urban growth, faces significant seismic risk due to outdated infrastructure and poor compliance with contemporary seismic standards. This study aims to evaluate the city’s seismic resilience by identifying its most vulnerable urban components and assessing its post-earthquake recovery potential. A combined methodology using SELENA software and GIS tools was employed to analyze seismic vulnerability based on building typologies, population density, soil conditions, and land-use zoning. Risk assessments were aligned with the Iranian Seismic Code to estimate potential casualties and economic damages. The results indicate that Region 1 of Qarchak city is the most vulnerable due to its high structural fragility and dense population. Critical weaknesses in urban planning, emergency preparedness, and regulatory enforcement were identified as key contributors to the city’s heightened seismic risk. The study underscores the urgent need for urban resilience strategies, including infrastructure retrofitting, stricter enforcement of seismic codes, and enhanced community awareness. These findings offer practical insights for urban planners and policymakers. Future studies could explore dynamic modeling of post-disaster recovery scenarios and community-based risk reduction strategies.

Graphical Abstract

Evaluating Urban Vulnerabilities and Post-Earthquake Recovery Seismic Resilience of Qarchak City

Highlights

The study identifies Region 1 of Qarchak city as the most vulnerable due to its high structural fragility and dense population.
A combined methodology using SELENA software and GIS tools was employed to analyze seismic vulnerability based on building typologies, population density, soil conditions, and land-use zoning.
Risk assessments aligned with the Iranian Seismic Code estimate potential casualties and economic damages, revealing critical weaknesses in urban planning, emergency preparedness, and regulatory enforcement.
The findings emphasize the urgent need for urban resilience strategies, including infrastructure retrofitting, stricter enforcement of seismic codes, and enhanced community awareness.
Future work suggests dynamic modeling of post-disaster recovery scenarios and community-based risk reduction strategies to support planners and policymakers.

Keywords

Qarchak City

seismic risk assessment

SELENA

seismic resilience

urban vulnerability

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