Assessment of Vulnerability to Natural Hazards: A European Perspective

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 changeContains 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

1. Theoretical framework for the assessment of vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change [in Europe] 
2. Holistic Evaluation of Seismic Risk in Barcelona 
3. Holistic Approach to Assess Vulnerability to Floods at Two Different Scales in the Salzach River Basin, Austria 
4. Vulnerability to Earthquakes and Floods of the Healthcare System in Florence, Italy 
5. Vulnerability to Heatwaves, Floods and Earthquakes in an Urban Area: Test Case in Cologne, Germany 
6. Vulnerability to Drought and Heatwave in London: Revealing Institutionally Configured Risk 
7. Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment of Forest Fires and Coastal Erosion: Evidence from Case-Study Analysis in Portugal
8. Vulnerability to Heatwaves, Floods and Mass Movements in Mountainous Terrain: Test Cases in South Tyrol
9. Discussion of applicability and the constraints of the framework for assessing vulnerability in different geographic and social contexts in Europe Scientific and Practical Validation of the Generic Framework