Dataset for GIS-Based Tropical Cyclone Vulnerability Assessment Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process in Dar es Salaam Metropolitan City, Tanzania

Title
Dataset for GIS-Based Tropical Cyclone Vulnerability Assessment Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process in Dar es Salaam Metropolitan City, Tanzania

Description
This dataset supports the study “Vulnerability assessment of tropical cyclone in coastal cities using GIS-based Analytic Hierarchy Process: The case of coastal Dar es Salaam Metropolitan City, Tanzania” . It comprises geospatial raster and vector datasets, derived spatial indicators, and processed layers used to assess tropical cyclone vulnerability across Dar es Salaam Metropolitan City (DMC), Tanzania.

The dataset integrates 17 indicators categorized under three components of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) vulnerability framework: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Exposure indicators include proximity to shoreline, cyclone tracks, rivers, wetlands, industrial areas, large water ponds, and land use/land cover (LULC). Sensitivity indicators include elevation, slope, population density, proportion of children (0–9 years), elderly population (60+ years), and female population. Adaptive capacity indicators include proximity to health facilities, proximity to major roads, vegetation cover (NDVI), and proportion of working-age population (20–60 years).

Spatial datasets were obtained from multiple sources, including International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS), OpenStreetMap, WorldPop, Landsat 8/9 imagery, and NASA Earthdata DEM . All datasets were processed using GIS software (QGIS and ArcGIS), standardized to a common coordinate reference system (Arc 1960 / UTM Zone 37S), and resampled to a uniform spatial resolution of 30 m.

Raster layers were reclassified into five vulnerability classes (very low to very high) using the Jenks natural breaks method and subsequently standardized to a 0–1 scale. Indicator weights were derived using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) based on expert judgment and literature review. Weighted overlay analysis was applied to generate component indices (exposure, sensitivity, adaptive capacity), which were further integrated into a Composite Vulnerability Index (CVI) representing overall cyclone vulnerability.

This dataset provides a spatially explicit representation of vulnerability patterns in a rapidly urbanizing coastal city and is intended to support reproducibility of GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis, climate risk assessment, and disaster risk reduction planning.

Geographical coverage
Dar es Salaam Metropolitan City (Ilala, Kinondoni, Temeke, Ubungo, Kigamboni), Tanzania

Time coverage
2020–2025

Coordinate system
Arc 1960 / UTM Zone 37S

Keywords
Tropical Cyclone Vulnerability; Composite Vulnerability Index; GIS; Analytical Hierarchy Process; Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis; Climate Risk Assessment; Dar es Salaam; Tanzania