Vulnerability assessment methodology: A tool for policy makers in drafting a sustainable development strategy of rural mining settlements in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania

Mining settlements are hierarchically integrated in a system of localities at local, county, micro-regional, regional, national, European and even global level. Therefore, this study has a holistic approach to understanding and analyzing the territorial, social, economic or environmental regeneration and development processes as well as the vulnerability degree of selected mining settlements of the Apuseni Mountains located in the north-western part of Romania. The paper has a twofold purpose. First, it aims to contribute to the ongoing process of geographical and environmental research conducted in Romania by proposing new methodologies developed based on available data and an in-depth analysis of the local issues by linking regional, national, and international models. Second, it aims to facilitate the decision-making process by developing a tool useful in the planning and sustainable development of the Apuseni Mountains at multiple scales (local, county and regional). In order to address current challenges faced by the selected area, the authors propose a novel calculation methodology for the vulnerability of the mining settlements and use GIS technology to elaborate a geospatial database and vulnerability map of the mining villages. Correlated data provided a vulnerability assessment method for rural settlements that might help facilitate the identification of feasible sustainable development solutions and serve as a tool for policy makers in drafting an integrated sustainable development strategy. The results reveal the importance of an integrated approach of the vulnerabilities occurring in rural settlements, especially the mining ones.