Global Mapping of Exposure and Physical Vulnerability Dynamics in Least Developed Countries using Remote Sensing and Machine Learning
This work addresses the challenge of expensive large-scale surveys for disaster risk reduction in vulnerable regions, though it is a pioneering effort that may be incremental in method.
The paper tackles the problem of monitoring climate and disaster risk in least developed countries by mapping exposure and physical vulnerability dynamics using remote sensing and machine learning, resulting in the creation of 'OpenSendaiBench' covering 47 countries and demonstrating mapping in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
As the world marked the midterm of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, many countries are still struggling to monitor their climate and disaster risk because of the expensive large-scale survey of the distribution of exposure and physical vulnerability and, hence, are not on track in reducing risks amidst the intensifying effects of climate change. We present an ongoing effort in mapping this vital information using machine learning and time-series remote sensing from publicly available Sentinel-1 SAR GRD and Sentinel-2 Harmonized MSI. We introduce the development of "OpenSendaiBench" consisting of 47 countries wherein most are least developed (LDCs), trained ResNet-50 deep learning models, and demonstrated the region of Dhaka, Bangladesh by mapping the distribution of its informal constructions. As a pioneering effort in auditing global disaster risk over time, this paper aims to advance the area of large-scale risk quantification in informing our collective long-term efforts in reducing climate and disaster risk.