Evaluating Cultural Heritage Vulnerability and Flood Exposure in the Vesdre Valley, Belgium: A Dataset from the 2021 Flood Event

This dataset provides comprehensive data on cultural heritage (CH) vulnerability and flood risk analysis for the Vesdre Valley in Belgium. The study area covers approximately 700 km², with the River Vesdre flowing 70 km through the region. The dataset includes information on the impacts of the July 2021 flood event, specifically the low-pressure system ‘Bernd,’ which caused severe flooding in several European regions, including the Vesdre Valley.
Data Sources:
• Spatial Data: Official flood hazard map updated on 7 July 2022, based on field surveys, drone imagery, and spatial interpolation. Data available from the Wallonia geoportal WalOnMap and the local statistical information portal WalStat.
• Statistical Units: The dataset is organized by 531 statistical units, with varying sizes from 4 to 5851 ha. Key statistics include the number of households and areas affected by the flood.
Data Processing and Analysis:
• Software Used: QGIS for data processing and visualization, RStudio for statistical analysis.
• Analytical Framework: Includes CH concentration mapping, vulnerability classification using principal component analysis (PCA), socio-economic disparity assessment, and household exposure analysis.
• Metrics Calculated: Gross and net concentration of CH assets, area-based vulnerability, socio-economic deprivation index, and comparative environmental risk index (CERI).
Methodology:
1. Gross and Net Concentration: Calculation of CH concentration by statistical unit, considering both point data (designated heritage) and area-based data (heritage sites).
2. Vulnerability Analysis: Assessment of CH and area-based vulnerabilities using spatial and statistical methods.
3. Socio-economic Disparity: Analysis based on 23 indicators of socio-economic status.
4. Exposure to Flooding: Calculation of household exposure and correlation with CH vulnerability.
5. Comparative Environmental Risk Index: Analysis of the relationship between socio-economic deprivation, CH vulnerability, and flood exposure.
Results:
• Concentration of CH: Spatial distribution of built and natural heritage assets in the Vesdre Valley, highlighting areas with high concentration and vulnerability.
• Flood Impact: Analysis of flood effects on CH assets and socio-economically deprived populations, with a focus on areas requiring targeted interventions.
• Multidimensional Vulnerability: Integration of CH vulnerability, area-based vulnerability, and socio-economic deprivation to identify high-risk zones.
Contact Information:
For any queries regarding the dataset, please contact:
GINZARLY Manal
University of Liège
[e-mail]
ORCID iD 0000-0003-3693-9258