Social Vulnerability Evaluation of Natural Disasters and Its Spatiotemporal Evolution in Zhejiang Province, China

Abstract

Natural disasters present a significant challenge to the productivity of Zhejiang Province. This paper is the first to evaluate social vulnerability to natural disasters in Zhejiang Province and provides a scientific foundation for disaster prevention, mitigation, and risk management. In this paper, we construct an indicator system for evaluating social vulnerability of natural disasters in Zhejiang Province through demand analysis, frequency analysis, and applicability analysis. The methodology employed in this paper reduces errors arising from subjective indicator selection and provides a reference for future international research on evaluating social vulnerability to natural disasters. This study analyzes the spatiotemporal evolution of social vulnerability to natural disasters in 11 cities from 2011 to 2020. The results indicate an overall downward trend of social vulnerability to natural disasters in Zhejiang. Social vulnerability to natural disasters exhibits significant spatial variability. The evaluation can help to bridge the knowledge gap regarding the social vulnerability of Zhejiang Province to natural disasters. The analysis of the spatiotemporal evolution of social vulnerability provides insights into the contributing factors to vulnerability and the effectiveness of past disaster management strategies. The findings of this study can serve as a valuable reference for future research in Zhejiang Province and other regions facing similar challenges. The results can contribute to the advancement of comprehensive knowledge of social vulnerability to natural disasters, which can inform the development of policies and strategies aimed at mitigating disaster risk and promoting effective disaster management globally.

Identifying Factors to Develop and Validate Social Vulnerability to Floods in Malaysia: A Systematic Review Study

“…Nevertheless, there is often an inconsistency in the academic literature in terms of the exact effect of individual demographic variables on socially vulnerable populations. For example, there are studies that highlight that children are a particularly susceptible demographic in the population; however, they may also act as a driving force for promoting resilience by means of fostering community networks through their education or aiding in household recovery endeavors [34,72,73]. It is commonly assumed that the elderly and women are the most vulnerable; however, research on fatalities related to floods reveals that young [49] and middle-aged men are also at risk due to their inclination towards risky behavior [52], rescue activities, and health impairments caused by drug or alcohol consumption [4,49].…”

“…The factors of race, class, ethnicity, and immigration status serve as supplementary drivers of social vulnerability to floods. Cultural and linguistic obstacles can impact the selection of residential areas in high-risk zones, pre-disaster mitigation measures, and the availability of post-disaster resources for recovery [72][73][74].…”

Assessment of the Regional Vulnerability to Natural Disasters in China Based on DEA Model

“…The timely collection of information on natural disasters, such as the number of occurrences, injuries, casualties, and economic losses, is carried out, and this information is promptly released to the public. The impact of natural disasters on regions is a subject of widespread concern and discussion [2][3][4][5][6][7]. However, there is limited discussion on the comparison between regional vulnerability and prevention efficiency.…”