Interdependence and vulnerability of Critical Infrastructures in the city of Lima, Peru

The evolution of society as a whole depends on its capacity of performing their activities without any major limitation. These activities have become more intricate, diverse and highly dependent on infrastructure to uphold... [ view full abstract ]

The evolution of society as a whole depends on its capacity of performing their activities without any major limitation. These activities have become more intricate, diverse and highly dependent on infrastructure to uphold them. A very important feature of Critical Infrastructures (CI) is that they are interdependent with each other. As a consequence, when certain internal or external disturbances or impacts occur, they will involve most of these CI in different levels. Therefore, the necessity to identify and analyse interdependencies in impact scenarios is crucial for the proper and sustainable development of a city. Consequently, the main purpose of this study is to assess the vulnerability of the main CI in the city of Lima, applying a network based model of the CI by using functional, physical and geographical interdependency criteria. Four CI are included in this model: water and wastewater distribution, electricity distribution, natural gas distribution and telecommunications. Moreover, a set of potential impact scenarios will be simulated using this model and material and energy flows between three infrastructures (water and wastewater, natural gas and electricity), and the interdependence relationship in the telecommunications infrastructure, will be analysed. Since the city of Lima is a high seismic zone, this study aims attention at the impacts of an earthquake scenario, however, other impact scenarios related to potential natural disasters and random failure of the CI components will be assessed. Finally, this model can be used as a risk assessment tool to identify critical elements of the CI in the city of Lima and establish risk prevention measurements in order to reassure the security of their inhabitants.