Addressing vulnerability through an integrated approach

TLDR

Vulnerability is linked to risk, susceptibility, resistance, and resilience, and requires broad, integrated approaches that consider environmental, infrastructure, economic, political, and cultural factors. This paper reviews disaster‑study theories and proposes a vulnerability model that integrates physical science, engineering, and social science. The model incorporates liabilities and capabilities from both physical and social environments. The review shows that a comprehensive vulnerability perspective guides inclusive disaster policies, aids emergency managers in policy design, and offers four distinct viewpoints applied across diverse disaster types. Because the model is new, its applicability across disaster phases and stakeholder groups requires further investigation.

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review current theoretical approaches in disaster studies and put forward a model of vulnerability that incorporates physical science, engineering, and social science research. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive model of vulnerability is proposed, which includes both liabilities and capabilities from the physical and social environments. The model is related to risk, susceptibility, resistance, and resilience to vulnerability and disasters. Findings This review assesses current concepts as guides for disaster management and suggests that a more complete view of vulnerability is more apt to generate inclusive and integrated disaster policies. Research limitations/implications Since this model is relatively new, its applicability needs to be examined further in terms of the phases of disasters and the many stakeholders involved in emergency management. Practical implications The holistic model of vulnerability in this paper may help emergency managers better understand disasters and devise relevant policies to counter them. The paper underscores the importance of broad and integrated methods for dealing with socially constructed disasters. It is related to environmental, infrastructure, economic, political, cultural, and other variables. Originality/value This paper is unique in that it presents four viewpoints of vulnerability and because it applies the proposed model to many different types of disasters.