Call for contributions for a special issue on special issue vulnerability assessment and disaster risk reduction
Disaster risk reduction is increasingly being prioritized in key policy documents and agendas at the local, national, regional, and international level (e.g., Sendai Framework, SDGs, New Urban Agenda). The need for improved knowledge on the drivers, spatial patterns, and dynamics of climate and disaster risk has been repeatedly stressed by scientists, risk practitioners, and decision makers. Cumulatively, this has prompted a rapid rise in the number of vulnerability and risk assessments at different spatial and temporal scales. While major efforts have been made regarding the development of novel and innovative methods for vulnerability and risk assessments, a gap persists in how these assessments can be, and actually are used, toward the identification, planning, and prioritization of risk reduction, risk transfer, and adaptation options.
For this Special Issue, we aim at soliciting contributions on vulnerability/risk assessment and disaster risk reduction. The overall aim of the Special Issue is to bring together reviews and original research articles that aim to bridge the ‘science to policy’ and ‘science to practice’ gap by moving beyond assessing the problem (i.e., assessing vulnerability and/or risk) to providing solutions (i.e., recommendations for disaster risk reduction, risk transfer, and adaptation) for more resilient societies.
Considered papers may cover the following topics:
- Vulnerability and risk assessments (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods approaches) at different spatial (local to global) and/or temporal scales (past trends, current patterns, future scenarios) that aim to inform risk reduction, risk transfer, and adaptation policies and actions;
- Assessment of multi-hazard, cascading, compound, or systemic risks, and options to address these vulnerabilities and risks;
- Persisting gaps, recent trends, and emerging issues regarding the linkages between vulnerability and risk assessments and the planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of risk reduction, risk transfer, and adaptation options at different scales;
- Evaluation of the effects of risk reduction, risk transfer, and adaptation solutions, or other interventions, on risk patterns and trends (including future scenarios);
- Co-benefits, risks, and costs of risk reduction, risk transfer, and adaptation, including interactions and trade-offs, and technological and financial challenges and options.
The Guest Editors aim for diversity and balance in the contributions and their authors. Therefore, researchers from developing countries, women, and underrepresented minorities are encouraged to contribute to this Special Issue.
Guest Editors
Dr. Michael Hagenlocher
Dr. Zinta Zommers
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2020.