An Integrated PCA–AHP Method to Assess Urban Social Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise Risks in Tampa, Florida

Coastal flooding risks are increasing with the rise of sea level due to global climate change. Such risk presents different groups residents diverse vulnerability. Using a coastal city as study area, this quantitatively and qualitatively examines social vulnerability across communities at rising. This develops novel assessment method that integrates principal component analysis (PCA) analytical hierarchical process (AHP), inputting advantages each into factor for quantification. Twenty-four socioeconomic factors first grouped four themes. PCA is then performed identify major components within theme. We apply AHP generate weighting scheme Therefore, AHP-derived weights those according theme used obtain an overall index. The thematic map PCA–AHP SVI showed minority low income, mobile home, unemployed populations aggregated in East Tampa shore (over 69% total minority), compared West (31% minority). Our findings provide insightful spatial information index (SVI) allows decision makers make optimal efforts mitigate damages unexpected impacts on communities, especially marginalized minorities rising risks.