Indicators of vulnerable populations to natural hazards: a case study of flooding in the Porirua City Council area

We are currently undertaking a two-year case study in Porirua City to develop indicators of social vulnerability to flooding. This study is funded by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) via the Natural Hazards Research Platform.

Flooding is one of the most frequent and costly natural hazards in New Zealand and is expected to become more frequent and severe due to climate change.

Outputs of our project include:

an online mapping tool for exploring these social vulnerability indicators

integration of social vulnerability indicators into RiskScape

a report on how to develop social vulnerability indicators, and how the information can be used at a local government level to ensure that the effects of flooding on socially vulnerable communities can be reduced.