A new approach to evaluating urban flood risk: the case of Guangdong Province in China

In light of frequent flood risks in Guangdong Province and the lack of recent research, this study developed a four-dimensional assessment system with 16 indicators covering disaster risk, environmental sensitivity, vulnerability of disaster-bearing bodies, and disaster prevention capabilities. Weights were assigned using the ANP and EWM, and flood risks in 21 prefecture-level cities were ranked using the TOPSIS method. Risk maps were generated with ArcGIS. Results reveal uneven flood risk distribution, with high-risk areas concentrated in the Pearl River Delta, western, and northern regions, influenced by multiple factors. Vulnerability and disaster prevention capabilities were identified as critical considerations. The study verifies the feasibility of the method, offering a scientific basis for flood risk management in Guangdong and supporting sustainable urban development.