Fekete, Alexander: Assessment of Social Vulnerability for River-Floods in Germany. - Bonn, 2010. - Dissertation, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn.
Online-Ausgabe in bonndoc: https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:hbz:5N-20040
@phdthesis{handle:20.500.11811/4190,
urn: https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:hbz:5N-20040,
author = {{Alexander Fekete}},
title = {Assessment of Social Vulnerability for River-Floods in Germany},
school = {Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn},
year = 2010,
month = jan,

note = {The assessment of social vulnerability unveils hidden weaknesses and strengths of the human society towards a certain stressor or hazard. In this study, vulnerability is analysed in its relation to the hazard posed by extreme river-floods. The study starts with an assessment of the varying impacts that river-floods typically produce in Germany. Severe cases of floods of the rivers Danube in 2002, the river Elbe in 2002 and 2006 and at the river Rhine in 1993 and 1995 affected large areas in Germany. The review of the published research reveals that few studies have tackled hidden issues of flood risk like social vulnerability here.
At the county level, this study develops a pilot approach on how to identify and compare social vulnerability along river-channels in Germany. The concept enables later cross-validation with data and studies from other sources and other spatial levels. The theoretical foundation of this vulnerability assessment is the base-line for the methodological development of the vulnerability indicators which capture the exposure, susceptibility and capacities of social groups concerning river-floods.
One important cornerstone of this study is a Social Susceptibility Index (SSI) map based on population characteristics for counties in Germany. This map is based on a composite index of three main indicators for social susceptibility in Germany - fragility, socio-economic conditions and regional conditions. These indicators have been identified by a factor analysis of selected demographic variables obtained from the Federal Statistical Office. Therefore, these indicators can be updated annually based on a reliable data source.
The influence of the susceptibility patterns on disaster outcome is shown by an independent second data set of a real case event. It comprises a survey of flood-affected households in three federal states. By using logistic regression, it is demonstrated that the theoretically presumed indications of susceptibility are correct and that the indicators are valid. It is shown that indeed certain social groups like the elderly, the financially weak or the urban residents are susceptible groups. Additionally, the Social and Infrastructure Flood Vulnerability Index (SIFVI) map combines both social and infrastructure vulnerability as well as flood exposure scenarios and demonstrates the integration of hazard and vulnerability information. The SIFVI map is thus the first comprehensive map of its kind for Germany that identifies vulnerable counties and delivers validation. As part of the DISFLOOD project, this study is furthermore an example of how theoretically and methodologically a multi-disciplinary research can be carried out.},

url = {https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11811/4190}
}

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