Publication

This Risk and Resilience Report uses Zürich as a case study to examine how changing demographic, economic and cultural conditions affect social vulnerability to hazards in generally affluent societies. More specifically, it focuses on six hazards relevant to the city: floods, heat waves, chemical accidents, crime, pandemics and landslides. Key findings include 1) that those considered vulnerable in their everyday lives are also likely to be the most vulnerable in a disaster; 2) that local characteristics are vital in understanding vulnerability; and 3) that disaster managers must be capable of adapting to the ever-changing nature of vulnerability.