Flood Hazard Mapping with Participatory GIS: The Case of Gorakhpur

Abstract

With cities representing concentrations of risk from many of the impacts of climate change, localcommunities are beginning to consider and implement actions to adapt to current or likely futureimpacts. Tools that can supplement existing community knowledge in assessing flood and otherdisaster risks have a valuable role to play, particularly in cases where the lack of reliable data in thepublic domain can impede local level planning. Such tools include Geographical Information System(GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) which can be used by trained local communities to assessflood risk intensity at a local level and hence develop risk management plans. This article describeshow local communities in Gorakhpur, India have used participatory GIS to facilitate local resilienceplanning.