Chapter 14: Decision Support and Early Warning Systems for Effective Crisis Management Towards Sustainable Smart Cities

Kuwait’s rapid urbanisation and population growth, particularly in areas like Al-Mutlaa City – the country’s largest housing project – are driving urban expansion into previously undeveloped zones. Concurrently, Kuwait is highly susceptible to natural hazards, including intense dust storms, flash floods, land subsidence and earthquakes, each posing significant risks to human health, infrastructure and economic stability. This research aims to develop an integrated decision support and early warning system tailored to mitigate these geohazards and foster sustainable urban development within Kuwait’s smart cities. This study emphasises the need for a comprehensive database combining geographical, geological and environmental information to support effective crisis management. Such a system will enhance decision-making for urban planning, construction and disaster response, particularly by identifying and managing risks tied to natural hazards. Leveraging advanced technologies, including remote sensing, Artificial Intelligence and geographic information system (GIS), the proposed system will predict and analyse hazard impacts, supporting pre-emptive actions and enhancing resilience against both immediate and long-term threats. The authors’ findings highlight the challenges and knowledge gaps associated with sustainable development in arid regions. By creating a data-driven framework for monitoring and mitigating crises, this study aims to assist policymakers and urban developers in addressing the complex demands of Kuwait’s growing urban landscape. Ultimately, this approach aims to enhance quality of life, environmental health and infrastructure safety, guiding Kuwait’s transformation into a sustainable smart city hub in the Gulf region.