Urban community perception on social vulnerability to disaster: the case of Bukit Antarabangsa, Malaysia

Abstract

This article aims to determine the perception of urban communities living in Bukit Antarabangsa regarding the issue of social vulnerability (SV) to landslide and landslide-related disasters. Bukit Antarabangsa is widely known as one of the highly urbanized areas near the metropolitan of Kuala Lumpur which are highly susceptible to landslides. Few communities which currently under the SeDAR project (i.e., a join-community-based disaster risk reduction/CBDRR program between Selangor State Disaster Management Centre – JICA – Local NGO: SlopeWatch Bukit Antarabangsa) were selected as a case study. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and household surveys were conducted during Conditional Movement Order (CMCO) on March 27th 2021 and April 11th 2021 to gather relevant information on the researched topic. The questionnaire for the survey was formulated based on the proposed detailed list of SV components, indicators, sub-indicators and weightage which was derived from a review of the literature and internal consultation among disaster experts. The data analysis process in this study served to achieve the objective of social and economic vulnerability assessment in general based on the usage of sub-indicators to point out the score value and level of performance of each sub-indicator based on the survey of local stakeholders. Results from data analysis were translated into spatial context through the production of an SV map of the study area. In summary, the integrated approach to the assessment of SV involving data analysis and mapping/spatial representation has offered some valuable insights towards strengthening local community resilient to disaster and should be considered for inclusion into the establishment of a long-term community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) planning and assessment, and in formulating DRR strategies at local and/or municipal context.