The type, magnitude, spatial distribution and consequences of regional climate change impacts depend strongly on the vulnerability of natural and social systems to climatic changes. Vulnerability is the degree to which a system is susceptible to, and unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and extremes. Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude, and rate of climate change and variation to which a system is exposed, its sensitivity, and its adaptive capacity (IPCC 2007). By focusing on the reduction and containment of the vulnerability of spatial development, spatial planning has large potential to accomplish effective spatial adaptation and increase resilience of Alpine regions to adverse effects of climate change. In order to facilitate climate-proof spatial development, spatial planners need sound knowledge of the vulnerability of the sectors and systems within Alpine regions that are of concern to the governing capacity of spatial planning. Therefore, the main objectives of WP 4 'Vulnerability Assessment' are:

• to improve knowledge and awareness on vulnerability of regional spatial systems (settlement development, infrastructure, economic key sectors, natural resources) to relevant climate change impacts (including natural hazards, weather extremes, water scarcity etc.), and

• to demonstrate and promote integration of the vulnerability concept into the practice of planning, as a key to adaptation.

Main actions:

• Developing definitions and a common conceptual framework of regional spatial vulnerability
• Determining vulnerability indicators and elaborating the methodology and procedure for vulnerability assessments in model regions
• Assessing vulnerability in model regions, generating vulnerability maps and profiles, and identifying vulnerability 'hot spots'
• Preparing a knowledge base for a generalised vulnerability classification of the Alpine Space (up-scaling)
• Transnational evaluation and synthesis of results and preparation of capitalisation for future assessments

Outputs:

• common conceptual model of regional spatial vulnerability to climate change impacts
• vulnerability indicators for exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity of the systems and sectors of concern
• transferable methodology and procedure of regional vulnerability assessment, incl. user guidelines and a glossary
• vulnerability maps, profiles and descriptive reports of model regions
• knowledge base for transfer of methods to other regions
• better awareness of decision-makers and stakeholders about vulnerability to climate change

>> WP4 Results

WP partners:

• Umweltbundesamt GmbH / Federal Environment Agency Austria (WP Responsible, contact: Wolfgang Lexer - wolfgang.lexer@umweltbundesamt.at)
• Accademia Europea di Bolzano / European Academy of Bolzano (scientific lead, contact: Marc Zebisch - marc.zebisch@eurac.edu)
• Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft, Forstsektion / Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Forest Department
• Amt der Salzburger Landesregierung, Abteilung Raumplanung / Regional Government of Salzburg, Department of Spatial Planning
• Amt der Steiermärkischen Landesregierung, Abteilung 16 - Landes- und Gemeindeentwicklung / Office of the State Government of Styria, Department 16 - State Planning and Regional Development
• Amt der Oberösterreichischen Landesregierung, Abteilung Raumordnung / Office of the Government of Upper Austria; Department of Spatial Planning
• Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Infrastruktur, Verkehr und Technologie, Abteilung Landesentwicklung / Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology, Department for Regional Planning and Development
• Provincia di Alessandria / Province of Alessandria
• Urbanistini inštitut Republike Slovenije / Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia
• Bundesamt für Raumentwicklung, Strategiegruppe Politik des Ländlichen Raumes / Swiss Federal Office for Spatial Development, Strategy Group Politics of Rural Areas
• Graubünden, Amt für Raumentwicklung / Grisons, Office for Spatial Development
• Fürstentum Liechtenstein, Ressort Umwelt, Raum, Land- und Waldwirtschaft / Principality of Liechtenstein, Ministry of Environmental Office, Land Use Planning, Agriculture and Forestry