Natural Hazards and Earth System Science www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net 1561-8633 1684-9981 8 3 2008 10.5194/nhess-8-409-2008 http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/8/409/2008/ http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/8/409/2008/nhess-8-409-2008.html http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/8/409/2008/nhess-8-409-2008.pdf 409 420 2008-05-06 A conceptual vulnerability and risk framework as outline to identify capabilities of remote sensing H. Taubenböck J. Post A. Roth K. Zosseder G. Strunz S. Dech German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD), German Aerospace Center (DLR), 82234 Wessling, Germany Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Geographic Institute, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany This study aims at creating a holistic conceptual approach systematizing the interrelation of (natural) hazards, vulnerability and risk. A general hierarchical risk meta-framework presents potentially affected components of a given system, such as its physical, demographic, social, economic, political or ecological spheres, depending on the particular hazard. Based on this general meta-framework, measurable indicators are specified for the system "urban area" as an example. This framework is used as an outline to identify the capabilities of remote sensing to contribute to the assessment of risk. Various indicators contributing to the outline utilizing diverse remote sensing data and methods are presented. Examples such as built-up density, main infrastructure or population distribution identify the capabilities of remote sensing within the holistic perspective of the framework. It is shown how indexing enables a multilayer analysis of the complex and small-scale urban landscape to take different types of spatial indicators into account to simulate concurrence. 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