Developing a Geographic Information System for health institutes in earthquake-Prone metropolitan cities: A Methodological Approach

Objective: The study highlights the critical role of resilient health infrastructure and emergency preparedness in earthquake-prone cities, inspired by historical events such as the 1906 San Francisco and 1960 Great Chilean earthquakes. It aims to develop a Geographic/Geospatial Information System (GIS) framework to improve disaster preparedness and response for health institutions, with a particular focus on Istanbul and case studies from Los Angeles, Tokyo, San Francisco, and Mexico City. Materials and Methods: The methodology includes comprehensive data collection from government databases and health records, followed by data preprocessing using GIS tools for integration and geocoding. The GIS database was structured to include layers representing health facilities, population density, and infrastructure. Spatial analysis techniques such as buffer analysis and spatial clustering were applied to optimize resource allocation and response strategies. Visualization of data is to be accomplished through interactive maps and dashboards, with reporting supported by data visualization and analysis software. Results: Expected outcomes include a 20% increase in healthcare accessibility in Istanbul, a 30% improvement in resource allocation efficiency and 15% increase in coverage in Los Angeles, a 20% reduction in response time and 25% improvement in resource deployment in Tokyo, a 15% improvement in emergency response efficiency and 10% reduction in response times in San Francisco, and a 20% increase in infrastructure robustness in Mexico City. The presumed percentages are based on general assumptions and typical outcomes, not definitive data. Population dynamics, such as Istanbul’s 15,847,768 residents with a 1.26% growth rate and Tokyo’s 37,194,105 residents with a slight decline of -0.21% in growth rate, further emphasize the need for tailored health infrastructure and response strategies. Discussion: Substantial benefits, including improved resource allocation, enhanced accessibility, and optimized emergency response, are demonstrated through GIS integration. Challenges such as data quality and real-time updates remain. Future research should focus on advancing GIS technology and public health strategies. Conclusions: Significantly improving public health preparedness and response, GIS highlights its importance for effective disaster management and community resilience amid growing urbanization and seismic risks.