Assessing urban growth toward Earthquake-hazard zone in Yogyakarta and Bantul, Indonesia

Abstract

Bantul and Yogyakarta are regions with earthquake-hazard risks in Indonesia. The earthquake that occurred in 2006 produced deaths, high economic losses, and significant damages to the housing and infrastructure. This research aimed to assess the urban growth in the earthquake-hazard zone in Bantul and Yogyakarta. The study used the remote sensing method of nighttime light (NTL), zonal statistics, and ClockBoard zone analysis. The combination of these analysis techniques for linking urban growth and earthquake hazards has not been widely discussed by previous studies. The earthquake- hazard data was retrieved from the United States Geological Survey website; meanwhile, the NTL data was based on the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) satellite. The results indicated that those zone segments at very high earthquake- hazard levels were also areaswith night-light intensities of more than ten units (meaning increasing urban growth). Based on these facts, local governments should evaluate spatial planning to limit the density of built-up areas in earthquake- hazard areas and ensure the effective implementation of urban sustainability and resilience.