At Risk While on the Move—Mobility Vulnerability of Individuals and Groups in Disaster Risk Situations

Alexander Fekete ()
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Alexander Fekete: Institute of Rescue Engineering and Civil Protection Betzdorferstr, TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences), 250679 Köln, Germany

Geographies, 2025, vol. 5, issue 4, 1-22

Abstract: Vulnerability is often analysed as a static condition of residents at a location, exposed to disaster and other risks. Studies on individual aspects of mobility and vulnerability exist, but comprehensive studies or guiding frameworks are lacking. The paper’s unique contribution compared to existing vulnerability models lies in emphasising vulnerability not only at fixed places, but also during transit, movement, and temporary phases. This paper highlights the current state of research on mobility vulnerability within disaster risk contexts. Through a systematic literature review, the study discovers a lack of research analysing specific vulnerabilities during mobility. Additionally, existing vulnerability frameworks are improved by incorporating (i) disaster risk and impact scenarios, (ii) different types of movements and mobilities linked to disaster risk situations, (iii) multiple localities, modalities, and temporalities, as well as multiple risks during sequences of movement and stationary phases, (iv) daily and occasional hazards, and (v) emic and etic perspectives on vulnerability. The findings of this study aim to inform future research on risk and vulnerability, supporting more effective responses amidst the changing dynamics of disaster situations.

Keywords: vulnerability assessment; static and dynamic components; multi-hazard risk; multi-modality; mobility vulnerability; disaster risk reduction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q15 Q5 Q53 Q54 Q56 Q57 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jgeogr:v:5:y:2025:i:4:p:56-:d:1765487

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