Cities are not homogeneous spaces, instead they show a diverse picture. This diversity is reflected in the built structure, the social status of the inhabitants, the connection to infrastructures, etc. Many of these framework conditions have grown historically over centuries and decades and are now manifest. However, the complexity of the urban society also becomes clear in the different degrees of social vulnerability of the citizens. While these different requirements can already be a challenge in everyday life, the situation becomes increasingly aggravated with a disaster and influences the population’s coping capacities. Our contribution is based on the capability approach. As a case study, we examine the city of Darmstadt: a medium-sized city (about 150,000 inhabitants) near Frankfurt am Main, with a strong disparity in social geography among the nine city districts. In order to highlight this heterogeneity, we zoom in to the level of districts and neighborhoods to identify spatially specific demographic (i.e. age) and socio-economic (i.e. unemployment) indicators. We consider these factors to be relevant for the value of social vulnerability. It should be emphasised that we do not only refer to current data, because by analysing historical data and urban historical developments (i.e. new districts; company closures), we are able to trace processes over a period of more than 50 years. In this way, we are able to identify long-term continuities and also disruptions in development lines. Through the deeper and multi-layered analysis of the city districts, their inhabitants and their history, it is possible to raise awareness. This is essential in everyday life, but especially in times of crisis, in order to build a more resilient urban society.
Jean-Christophe Dissart*, Joachim Schulze**, Nadja Thiessen***
**Institut d’Urbanisme et de Géographie Alpine, UMR Pacte, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France, **Technische Universität Darmstadt, Fachgebiet Entwerfen und Stadtentwicklung, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany, ***Technische Universität Darmstadt, Fachgebiet Neuere und Neuste Geschichte, 64283 Darmstadt
ID Abstract: 210