eprintid: 4205
rev_number: 4
eprint_status: archive
userid: 1
dir: disk0/00/00/42/05
datestamp: 2023-08-25 11:29:57
lastmod: 2023-08-25 11:29:57
status_changed: 2023-08-25 11:29:57
type: thesis
metadata_visibility: show
sword_depositor: 1
creators_name: Wittig, Valentin Carlo
creators_id: S4112946
creators_email: valentincw@outlook.de
title: Vulnerable buildings or vulnerable people? Exploring perceptions influencing disaster  risk in Bucharest, Romania
ispublished: unpub
full_text_status: public
abstract: This research aims to explore the effects of different perceptions of vulnerability on risk management practices in Bucharest, Romania, a city that does not frequently experience earthquakes but nevertheless is vulnerable. The literature has so far paid little attention to how subjective views on vulnerability to natural hazards shape the actions taken and ultimately the preparedness of residents. Vulnerability of people is a question of power and resources, yet these root causes seem to play a secondary role in practice. In order to assess the roles of power, subjective views and culture in the management of risk, I analyzed how vulnerability is framed in policy documents and official reports and conducted interviews with civil servants, academics and representatives of non-governmental organizations. Bucharest emerges as a complex riskscape of interwoven expectations and responsibilities that hamper collaboration between civil society and government institutions, resulting in the earthquake issue staying on the margins of public debate. While the government is seemingly handling the issue well through constant legislative improvements in the past years, the tangible effect for the regular resident of Bucharest is negligible in terms of practical preparedness to be able to cope with the looming earthquake.
date: 2023
pages: 76
thesis_type: master
degree_programme: SP
tutors_name: Turhan, E.
tutors_organization: Fac. Ruimtelijke wetenschappen, Infrastucture Planning
tutors_email: e.turhan@rug.nl
security: public
keywords_local: Political ecology
keywords_local: Disaster risk management & reduction
keywords_local: Vulnerability
keywords_local: Riskscapes
keywords_local: Disaster subculture
language_iso: en
date_issued: 2023-07-03
citation:   Wittig, Valentin Carlo  (2023) Vulnerable buildings or vulnerable people? Exploring perceptions influencing disaster risk in Bucharest, Romania.  Master thesis.   
document_url: https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/4205/1/Master%20thesis%20Valentin%20Wittig.pdf