ResilUrban: System Dynamic Model to Assess Resilience of Urban Infrastructure to Climate Induced Hazards in Bhutan

Mr Changa Tshering
Spatial Analyst, Principal Investigator UNE/BES

Mr Cheku Dorji
Statistician, Kuenden Statistical Services​

Mr Phuntsho Dorji
Urban Planner, Thimphu City Coorporation

Ms Tashi Choden​
Senior ICT Officer, Data Science and AI Division​
GovTech Agency

Bhutan’s cities are increasingly exposed to heat waves, storm surge, flash floods and landslides affecting the urban system, its inhabitants and services delivery. The impact is predicted to exacerbate as more people migrate to urban areas, loss of green areas, aging infrastructure, etc. Annually, Bhutan is predicted to lose over 6 percent of its GDP to hazards by the year 2100. The hazard assessment report indicates Thimphu as high hazard area. However, limited assessment exists to determine and characterize its infrastructure resilience to climate induced hazards. The study will model urban infrastructure’s resilience to climate hazards using the System Dynamic Tool.