Assessing community vulnerability to extreme events in the presence of contaminated sites and waste management facilities: An indicator approach

• Published in: Urban climate Vol. 53; no. 101800; pp. 1 - 30
• Main Authors: Sinha, Paramita, Julius, Susan, Fry, Meridith, Truesdale, Robert, Cajka, James, Eddy, Michele, Doraiswamy, Prakash, Womack, Donna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Climate adaptation; Contaminated sites and waste facilities; Emergency preparedness; Urban planning; Urban vulnerability to climate hazards; Vulnerability indicators; Contaminated sites and waste facilities; Climate adaptation; Emergency preparedness; Urban planning; Vulnerability indicators; Urban vulnerability to climate hazards; contaminated sites and waste facilities; urban vulnerability to climate hazards; emergency preparedness; urban planning; climate adaptation; vulnerability indicators
• ISSN: 2212-0955; 2212-0955
• DOI: 10.1016/j.uclim.2023.101800

Communities across the world are facing extreme events, such as excessive heat, droughts, floods, and wildfires. In the presence of contaminated sites and waste management facilities, communities must consider the impacts of potential releases from these sites due to such events. Impacts of extreme events on sites and consequently on surrounding, often disadvantaged communities result from complex interactions between natural, physical, and social factors. A conceptual framework was developed to identify and provide a shared understanding of key vulnerabilities and pathways that transcend disciplines. A transparent and replicable method was developed to create mappable indicators that represent contaminated sites, waste facilities, contaminant transport via air and water, and population sensitivities. This method can be applied as a screening step to assist states and local communities in prioritizing targeted strategies and resources and determining where in-depth assessments are needed. These indicators can facilitate communication with a broad audience more easily than complex modeling approaches or aggregated indices. Case study results demonstrate the importance of considering indicators in conjunction with each other. The indicator method was developed together with U.S.-based partners, but can be adapted for other countries seeking to understand the potential impacts of extreme events on contaminated sites and communities. •Extreme events may release/transport contaminants from sites to nearby communities.•Method helps screen for urban climate vulnerabilities/environmental justice issues.•Indicators represent extreme events, waste facilities, fate/transport, sensitivity.•Flooding results demonstrate importance of holistic assessment for decision-making.•Indicator maps can inform adaptation/preparedness/response planning/communication.