Census-based Social Vulnerability Assessment for Bucharest

Bucharest is one of the most exposed capital cities to the risk of earthquakes. Memories about the massive damages which occurred during the past century and of the seismic activity in nearby Vrancea region justify vulnerability re research with focus on the city. However, due to the visible destructions of the 1977 earthquake, the focus was mainly laid on the already built environment and less on the social and economic vulnerability of the city. This is the reason why we are striving to explore areas at risk and their spatial association by applying a social vulnerability index at the 2011 census. Throughout this analysis we shall be commenting upon the results and feedback from the census induced issues that hinder a clear identification of vulnerable areas.