Mapping Vulnerable Tourism Infrastructure In Karst Environment With An Integrated Remote Sensing Approach. The Dead Sea, Jordan, Case Study

Is it possible to develop sustainable tourism infrastructures in karst regions where the hydro-geological system is highly perturbed due to the over-exploitation of the water resources? The new resorts area located north-east of the Dead Sea coast in Jordan, is the test-bed used to answer this question. The analysis of Sentinel optical and SAR images, in-situ observations and geological data, has been carried out to produce displacement, vulnerability and thematic maps at cadastral parcel scale. This research demonstrates that without costly remediation work the sustainability is doubtful: the Dead Sea hydro-geological system is more and more unbalanced; an increasing number of hotels and resorts are affected by sinkholes, landslides and subsidence with significant damage to the buildings and the infrastructure. Remote sensing techniques complemented by in-situ and geological data can provide most of the actionable knowledge needed for efficient remediation solutions and for the development of an early warning system.