Analysing risk and vulnerability of South African settlements: Attempts, explorations and reflections

Abstract

This is a presentation paper on the development of multi-criteria indicators for integrated assessment of socio-economic vulnerability at a regional level. An indication is provided of some first steps in interpreting projections for environmental risks and hazards in terms of possible implications for settlements at this regional level. The presentation concludes with some reflections on the challenges and breakthroughs experienced within this exercise, as well as implications for on-going and future research. This paper contributes to the current discourse and body of research by providing an overview of, and reflection on, innovative attempts at exploring the vulnerability of settlements in South Africa in a more integrated and place specific way, as conducted within the ambit of the South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas (SARVA).