Population dynamics and natural hazard risk management: conceptual and practical linkages for the case of Austrian policy making

Abstract

This contribution explores the conceptual and empirical linkages between population dynamics and natural hazard risk management (NHRM). Following a review of the international scholarly literature, we conduct a mixed-methods approach in Austria, combining an online survey among policy makers and other stakeholders with a thematic analysis of policy documents. The aim is to investigate the practical relevance of socio-demographic change in Austria’s NHRM. The study shows that many hazard-prone regions in Austria face population change, in particular demographic ageing and population decline. In addition, our findings from the online survey demonstrate the relevance of population dynamics in NHRM, especially with regard to hazard response and recovery. Nonetheless, policy formulation in NHRM overwhelmingly disregards demographic change as a relevant factor. Accordingly, the study underscores the importance of future-oriented risk management strategies to better account for ongoing and expected socio-demographic changes.

A review of the challenges and strategies of delivering services of general interest in European rural areas

“…In the analysed countries, shifts in the demographic structure and labour market inevitably impact the service's dependability, but also lead to changes in people's readiness to engage in delivering the service (SG, 2016;Geier, 2017;Clar, Löschner, Nordbeck, Fischer & Thaler, 2021). One of the most palpable effects of demographic change is the steadily shrinking number of volunteer (and, in Scotland, retained) firefighters.…”

“…In Austria, on the other hand, while the number of active firefighters has remained constant, little attention has been warranted to the long-term implications of demographic change in natural hazard risk planning. Particularly problematic is the rising share of the elderly in affected communities and the practical difficulties associated with their rescue (Clar et al, 2021). In fact, all three countries highlight the salience of adapting the emergency response system to natural disasters, pointing out at the increasing number of incidents caused by climate change -for instance, floods, severe storms, or forest/grassland fires (ÖBFV, 2015;AGBF Bund & DFV, 2020;DStGB & DFV, 2020;SFRS, 2020a).…”

Opportunities and challenges for transdisciplinary research in flood risk management: some critical reflections and lessons learnt for research on sustainability

“…Flood risk management and shrinking of municipalities are generally difficult issues for policy makers, stakeholders and citizens within the regions concerned. In particular, population decline is often seen as having strongly negative consequences for municipalities, such as less income from local taxes or the closure of social infrastructure (e. g. social housing, public libraries, schools or public transport) (Clar et al 2021). As we experienced in DemoHazAlps, the situation is even worse when both challenges (depopulation and managing flood risks) are addressed within one single project.…”

Erweiterung von Kosten-Nutzen-Analysen im Hochwassermanagement durch Berücksichtigung sozialer und psychologischer Verwundbarkeit

“…B. dem sozio-demografischen Wandel, und Veränderungen in anderen Bereichen, wie z. B. der Landnutzung, verschärft werden (Jongman et al 2015;Rogger et al 2017;Jestl und List 2020;Clar et al 2021).…”