The structure of the dissertation follows the formal logic of presenting the theoretical conception of the research first (chapters II – IV), then providing the empirical evidence (chapters V – VII) and finally, concluding the results within a broader scientific context (chapter VII).
Chapters II – IV: Theoretical part. The theoretical part is meant to culminate in a new Framework for Applied Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Research (FARVAR) to be put to the test.
Chapter II explores the key determinants of R&V and how the causal structure of R&V is framed by different R&V scholars. First, the lowest common denominator of defining R&V is presented, by emphasizing the role of vulnerability (Chapter II.2). Thereafter, contemplation follows about how to understand the causal structure of R&V through the lens of different vulnerability frameworks within the discipline of human geography (Cf. II.4). Finally, the term capacity is defined, including a discussion about how different types of capacity are being distinguished and have been evolving in the scientific literature (Cf. II.4).
Chapter III provides a comprehensive perspective of R&V-R. It aims at looking at DRR from a societal perspective to emphasize that actors in R&V-R are not, as traditionalists in R&V-R suggest, technicians, engineers or state authorities; but that all the members of society, from the household level to the private sector, non-governmental organizations and state authorities are active agents in R&V-R (Cf. III.2). Moreover, the chapter includes the definition of a “Hierarchical Nomenclature of Risk and Vulnerability Reduction”, to structure integral components and sub-components of R&V-R in a way nobody has done before (CF. III.3). The last sub-chapter proposes a process of R&V-R that includes decision-making processes along the “Nomenclature of R&V-R” (Cf. III.4).
Chapter IV presents the newly developed Framework for Applied Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Research (FARVAR) and draws from the latter two major chapters II and III. It constitutes a turning point in this dissertation. It starts with identifying differences and commonalities, finally resolving redundancies and conflicting terminologies of the two strains and groups of actors, R&V scientists and R&V-R
practitioners (Cf. IV.2). This is done by mirroring and comparing the different types and definitions of capacity that are common in the R&V research community (coping, adaptive, response capacity) (Cf. II.4.1) with those that are implicitly or explicitly elaborated and used in discourses about R&V-R (Cf. III.3). The analytical comparison allows for viewing vulnerability as the outcome of causal processes inherent in the absence of R&V-R performance. In chapter IV.4 the new FARVAR framework is presented, including the provision of a definition, exploring a systematization of different pathways of how R&V and unsafe conditions emerge, and finally how R&V causalities can be structured. Based on the FARVAR framework, Chapter IV.4.4 defines the role of R&V-A in processes of R&V-R by describing an iterative process of R&V-A and R&V-R while elaborating, assessing, selecting, and implementing R&V-R measures.
Chapters V and VI, VII and VIII – Empirical part – The case study. The purpose of the case study is to provide empirical evidence for the usefulness of the logic of the new FARVAR framework and its implications for R&V-A. The case study demonstrates how R&V-A information packages are being developed for the benefit of establishing a Tsunami Early Warning System in Indonesia. The empirical part is divided into four major chapters.
Chapter V provides and overall introduction to the case study by dedicating a chapter to its rationale (Chapter V.1.1) and describing the context into which the case is embedded (Cf. V.2), including reasoning why a Tsunami Early Warning System has been chosen as the best strategy for R&V-R in Indonesia, and what role the working package on R&V-A had played in the overall context of the GITEWS project (Cf. V.2.1, V.2.2, V.2.3). Finally, a short overview is given about the research area (Cf. V.3) as well as a logical description of how the case study presentation in this thesis is organized (Cf.
V.4), including a short summarized methodology of the case.
Chapter VI presents the R&V-A framework for the case of InaTEWS. A full chapter is dedicated to explore more in-depth the conceptual foundations of a Tsunami Early Warning System, its integral components and the delineated R&V-A -framework that represents a contextualised FARVAR framework for the case of InaTEWS (Chapter V.2).
Chapter VII presents the case study concept, analysis and results. As according to the concept of the FARVAR framework where R&V-A is defined through the requirements of the specific R&V-R-domains, -components, -tasks and -measures, the R&V-A -topics
and methods vary accordingly. Hence, an own R&V-A chapter has been dedicated to each of the different R-tasks of InaTEWS, composed of defining precisely the R&V-R and assessment requirements, the assessment topics and detailed methodology, as well the presentation and discussion of the results. This complex structure is attributed to the requirements of the newly developed FARVAR framework to develop R&V-A information packages useful for R&V-R decision-making at different hierarchical levels, such as at the level of effectively implementing R&V-R- tasks and -measures.
Chapter VIII presents the utility evaluation of the R&V-A results. This chapter discusses the utility of the R&V-A results using a method specifically developed for this purpose and based on the provisions of different authors that have defined a process of R&V-R decision-making. The analysis contains a last very important step to showcase how R&V-A can support the elaboration, assessment, selection, and implementation of overall R&V-R. It shades light on the utility of the FARVAR framework, not only to advance applied R&V-As but also to advance and structure the future research agenda in this investigative field and the contributing role of geography to this.
Chapter IX: Discussion and Summary. The discussion aims at distilling what the dissertation has achieved to advance the overall applied R&V-A – and Research.
Chapter X: Conclusions. First, the implications of the research for better integrating R&V-A Research, --Assessment and -Policy are concluded. Thereafter, the contribution of the dissertation to advance geographic R&V research is explored, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the dissertation are addressed, to finally address future research challenges and requirements.