Vulnerability of Buildings to Meteorological Hazards: A Web-Based Application Using an Indicator-Based Approach

Abstract

Recent events have demonstrated the devastating impact of meteorological hazards on buildings and infrastructure. The possible effects of climate change on their frequency and intensity but also the rise in the value of assets may increase future risks significantly. It is crucial, therefore, for decision-makers to analyze these risks, focusing on the vulnerability of the built environment to reduce future consequences and the associated costs. However, limited studies focus on the vulnerability of buildings to meteorological hazards. The aim of the present paper is to introduce an indicator-based vulnerability assessment approach for buildings subject to three meteorological hazards (windstorms, heavy rainfall, and hail). The selection of vulnerability indicators (e.g., material, roof shape, etc.) was based on a thorough literature review. The results of an expert survey were analyzed using M-MACBETH software, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to weigh each indicator according to the expert opinions and to aggregate them into an index. A web-based application was developed that gives homeowners and other end-users the opportunity to assess the vulnerability of specific buildings by indicating the municipality, the building type, and other building characteristics. The web-application is publicly available and free of charge. The resulting index is a valuable tool for decision-makers, homeowners, authorities, and insurance companies. However, the availability of empirical damage data from real events could contribute to enhancing the performance of the presented approach.