Developing a conceptual framework integrating Geographic Information System (GIS) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) techniques for housing flood susceptibility assessment

Nuralya Rushdi, Siti Hafsah Zulkarnain, Roslina Idris and Zulkiflee Abd Latif

International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, 2026, 1-15

Abstract: PurposeFlooding remains one of the most severe and recurring natural hazards worldwide, particularly in tropical and rapidly urbanising regions such as Malaysia. Beyond its environmental and economic consequences, flooding poses serious risks to housing areas through physical damage, reduced residential safety, displacement and increased pressure on planning and infrastructure systems. This study aims to develop a comprehensive conceptual framework for that integrates geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing (RS), and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to systematically assess housing flood susceptibility and support spatial decision-making.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a conceptual and methodological approach based on a critical review of literature on flood susceptibility assessment, housing vulnerability, geospatial analysis and multi-criteria decision-making. Key flood-influencing factors, including elevation, slope, land use and land cover, rainfall intensity and proximity to water bodies, are structured hierarchically and weighted using the AHP technique, while GIS and RS are used for spatial data processing and visualisation.FindingsThe study proposes a structured conceptual framework that clarifies how GIS (AHP) and RS can be integrated into a coherent workflow for assessing flood susceptibility in housing areas. The framework highlights the value of combining spatial data sets with multi-criteria weighting to identify residential locations that may be more exposed to flood risk and to support more informed planning, site selection and risk-sensitive housing development. As a conceptual framework, this study does not include empirical validation using real-time flood event data. Future research should incorporate case study implementation and machine learning techniques to validate and refine the framework.Originality/valueThis study contributes a structured and transferable conceptual framework that integrates spatial analysis and decision-making techniques, offering practical value for researchers, real estate players, urban planners and policymakers in housing flood risk assessment and mitigation.

Keywords: Analytical hierarchy process (AHP); Flood; Geographic information systems (GIS); Housing; Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM); Remote sensing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:ijhmap:ijhma-03-2026-0057

DOI: 10.1108/IJHMA-03-2026-0057

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