A Social Network based framework for assessing risks and vulnerability in built environment

Our built environment comprises large interdependent infrastructure networks. When we add a new piece of infrastructure or a new building into the mix, we rather increase the complexity further in relation operations and management of such infrastructure network. Ensuring appropriate functionality of these networks is absolutely crucial for supporting the community residing within the built environment. Functioning of a society depends on numerous infrastructure functions offered by the range of infrastructure network collectively. If any part of the infrastructure network becomes obsolete due to any external or internal disturbances, the impact will be eventually felt within the community. Whether such an impact is felt at a local level or in entirety, that depends on the degree of dependency of the community on the particular infrastructure network and also the interconnectivity of that network in relation to other network. Thus, in any attempt to address risks and vulnerability within the community, the first step is to map out the interdependent infrastructure network and community dependencies on various functions drawn from individual infrastructure or the network. The multi-level community is highly fragmented especially in a social context. Such fragmentation is characterized by numerous roles that people play within the society.