Disaster risk in Mongolian cities and Obo's potential as a refuge

Targeting the Ger area of Ulaanbaatar City

Abstract

In Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, uncontrolled residential land development in the ger districts due to unipolar concentration has led to concerns about disaster vulnerability, while floods caused by abnormal weather have aggravated the flooding problem. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the causes of flood damage in Ulaanbaatar and to find clues to solving the living environment problems in the ger districts by reflecting the traditional knowledge of the nomadic peoples in the modern city. Actual flood damage was collected from field surveys and media reports, and geographical factors were analysed using GIS and Google maps. The results revealed that topsoil prone to run-off, housing development on sloping land, poor drainage planning, town block formation on the valley floor and reduced green space were identified as factors. It was also suggested that Obo is located on higher ground with a lower risk of flooding, making it an effective evacuation site. In the future, urban development should take into account the installation of rainwater harvesting sites and the maintenance of public spaces on higher ground, such as Obo.