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Scales as a challenge for vulnerability assessment

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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to introduce scale as a basic tool for improving the conceptual structure of vulnerability assessments. The terminology useful for vulnerability assessments and the current use of scale issues in theoretical vulnerability frameworks will be discussed briefly. Two case studies working on sub-national and on local level will demonstrate problems as well as benefits resulting from scale implications. Both assessments analyse vulnerability in context to river floods in Germany. In order to develop a spatial comparison and to integrate topics like environment and society, vulnerability assessments need to be aware of scale implications. The main point is that a scale debate on a broader spectrum than just in technical spatial terms is missing in vulnerability and risk conceptualisations so far. Vulnerability assessments and scale are highly intertwined, not only in technical application but also in conceptualisation, which needs more scientific development.

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Acknowledgments

This paper is based on a presentation on the German Congress of Geographers, from September 29th to October 5th 2007, in Bayreuth, Germany, in the special session of the working group on natural hazards/natural risks entitled “extreme events in environment and society – the question of scale”, with this biennium’s central theme “Handling Risks: Disasters – Destabilisation – Security”. It has further been presented on the EGU General Assembly 2008 in Vienna, Austria in session NH9.3 Vulnerability analysis in natural hazards and risk assessments (Abstract accessible at: http://www.cosis.net/abstracts/EGU2008/03903/EGU2008-A-03903.pdf). We are grateful to the organisers, especially Thomas Glade, and for the feedback received on both events. We would also like to express our gratitude to the two anonymous reviewers for their instructive and thoughtful suggestions and feedback.

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  1. Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), United Nations University, Hermann-Ehlers-Str. 10, 53113, Bonn, Germany

    Alexander Fekete, Marion Damm & Jörn Birkmann

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  1. Alexander Fekete
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  2. Marion Damm
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  3. Jörn Birkmann
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Correspondence to Alexander Fekete.

Appendix

Appendix

See Tables 4 and 5.

Table 4 List of indicators used for the social vulnerability assessment at county level (Fig. 3a)
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Table 5 List of indicators used for the environmental vulnerability assessment at county level (Fig. 3b)
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Fekete, A., Damm, M. & Birkmann, J. Scales as a challenge for vulnerability assessment. Nat Hazards 55, 729–747 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-009-9445-5

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