Information fusion approach for the appraisal of hazard worsening factors using remote sensing data

An information fusion approach based on the fuzzy subset theory is proposed in this article for the appraisal of hazard worsening factors. This approach combines attributes of vulnerability degree coming from remote sensing data. After defining the hazard, menace, vulnerability concepts, an original method is proposed for the extraction of a "distance" vulnerability degree attribute, based on the fuzzy mathematical morphology. Then, a vulnerability map is produced by combining the following attributes: the distance (to the river, to a drain, or to the coast), the altitude and an index of urban area/non-urban area. The proposed approach is illustrated in the city of Douala and results are compared to previous floodings maps.