Optimal districting in post-disaster environments

Abstract

Disaster Response Logistics encompasses the logistical activities of the various emergency response functions conducted in post-disaster environments such as search and rescue, volunteer management, and distribution of relief supplies. Conducting these activities in an effective and expeditious manner is critical. In this context, it is often advisable to subdivide impacted areas so that the numerous groups responding to the disaster can focus their attention on specific subareas, while ensuring a comprehensive coverage and minimized completion time. The optimal subdivision of the impacted area —referred in the literature as districting— is the main focus of this dissertation.