الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
In today’s world, most cities face physical threats posed by climate change. These threats create environmental hazards, along with urban problems resulting from rapid urbanization and fast growth of cities. Unplanned urbanization causes the formulation of marginalized urban communities. According to a UN-Habitat report (2014), these groups are most vulnerable and most likely to suffer from disasters. The vulnerability of such population is an alarming problem with major social, environmental, and economic consequences. This issue has received significant consideration in climate change and disaster management research. The social vulnerability of communities is attributable to multiple indicators such as high levels of poverty,inequality, and problems relating to unemployment, inadequate housing, and access to basic civic amenities like safe drinking water and sanitation.The key research question of this study is to find out whether social vulnerability assessment could be used as a planning tool or not? To answer this question, the study reviews and implements several methods for selecting and aggregating vulnerability indicators. This aggregation process that captures multiple aspects of socio-spatial vulnerability in a single index or a small number of variables can produce thematic maps that act as powerful visual tools to identify those areas most susceptible to suffer from environmental changes.This study follows a structured framework to firstly describe the process of developing a social vulnerability index (SVI) from 14 variables using two different methods. It employs both qualitative analyses to choose indicators that best describe the vulnerability of the selected case study, and then, quantitative analysis is employed to calculate the (SVI) values and compare it using two different methods. Secondly, it analyses the spatial patterns of the developed composite SVI at the neighbourhood ”Shyakha” level using ArcMap geographic information systems (GIS). It then classifies the results and detects the most and least vulnerable area. This assessment is followed by an intensive examination of resilient measurements in of the detected hot spots, with the broad goal of providing such area with resilient development guidelines.The results demonstrate that the distribution of social vulnerability is not equal along the city of Alexandria. Most of the city is categorized to have relatively medium vulnerability level,while few areas are regarded as highly vulnerable ”hot spots” and other areas are regarded as low vulnerable ”cold spots”. Finally, based on the interpretation of the developed index and the deep examination of the characteristics of one of the most vulnerable areas, the study offers guidelines to promote resilient development of most vulnerable areas. This study provides benchmarks for policymakers and urban planners giving insights into protecting vulnerable populations. It is useful for better urban planning, resilience-building projects and programs aimed at specific vulnerable urban areas. It can help facilitate municipal governments in the further development of tools and techniques that cities could use for assessing their vulnerabilities and planning for resilience. Considering considerations of social vulnerability and climate resilience, urban planners and policymakers can not only address some of the urban risks and vulnerabilities but also improve the living conditions of the urban population. The research gave an answer to the question: who is the most vulnerable to climate change.