Assessment of Vulnerability to Natural Hazards

A European Perspective

Jörn Birkmann, Stefan Kienberger, David Alexander

• Publisher: Elsevier
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN:
  9780124105287
• eBook ISBN:
  9780124105485
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Environmental Science
• Index: Biological Sciences

Assessment of Vulnerability to Natural Hazards covers the vulnerability of human and environmental systems to climate change and eight natural hazards: earthquakes, floods, landslides, avalanches, forest fires, drought, coastal erosion, and heat waves. This book is an important contribution to the field, clarifying terms and investigating the nature of vulnerability to hazards in general and in various specific European contexts. In addition, this book helps improve understanding of vulnerability and gives thorough methodologies for investigating situations in which people and their environments are vulnerable to hazards. With case studies taken from across Europe, the underlying theoretical frame is transferrable to other geographical contexts, making the content relevant worldwide. - Provides a framework of theory and methodology designed to help researchers and practitioners understand the phenomenon of vulnerability to natural hazards and disasters and to climate change - Contains case studies that illustrate how to apply the methodology in different ways to diverse hazards in varied settings (rural, urban, coastal, mountain, and more) - Describes how to validate the results of methodology application in different situations and how to respond to the needs of diverse groups of stakeholders represented by the public and private sectors, civil society, researchers, and academics

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Contributors
• Vulnerability: a key determinant of risk and its importance for risk management and sustainability
• Chapter 1. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework for the Assessment of Vulnerability to Natural Hazards and Climate Change in Europe
• Chapter 2. Holistic Evaluation of Seismic Risk in Barcelona
• Chapter 3. Spatial and Holistic Assessment of Social, Economic, and Environmental Vulnerability to Floods—Lessons from the Salzach River Basin, Austria
• Chapter 4. Vulnerability to Earthquakes and Floods of the Healthcare System in Florence, Italy
• Chapter 5. Vulnerability Assessment to Heat Waves, Floods, and Earthquakes Using the MOVE Framework: Test Case Cologne, Germany
• Chapter 6. Vulnerability to Drought and Heatwave in London: Revealing Institutionally Configured Risk
• Chapter 7. Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment of Forest Fires and Coastal Erosion: Evidences from Case-Study Analysis in Portugal
• Chapter 8. Vulnerability to Heat Waves, Floods, and Landslides in Mountainous Terrain: Test Cases in South Tyrol
• Chapter 9. Conclusion: Assessing Vulnerability in Europe and the World
• Index