Megacities at Natural Disaster Risk: Focusing on Transportation in London and Istanbul Cases

Abstract

This paper investigates the vulnerability of megacities to natural disasters with a focus on the transportation systems of London and Istanbul. It frames the city as a complex network of interdependent subsystems, where disruptions in transport can amplify overall urban vulnerability. Using data from institutions and case studies, the research analyses potential structural and functional failures, emphasising the role of transportation as both highly interdependent and slow to recover. The study argues that understanding these interdependencies can strengthen urban resilience and provides insights for engineers, planners, and policymakers to develop sustainable disaster risk management strategies.