Societal Impacts 3 (2024) 100049

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Societal Impacts
journal homepage: www.journals.elsevier.com/societal-impacts

Mapping the vulnerable: A framework for analyzing urban social

vulnerability and its societal impact
Subham Roy *, Suranjan Majumder , Arghadeep Bose , Indrajit Roy Chowdhury
Department of Geography and Applied Geography, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, West Bengal 734013, India

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: Widespread high exposure and vulnerability, coupled with inadequate adaptive capacity, underscore the urgent
Urban resilience need for targeted interventions and policies to enhance urban resilience. This research communication presents a
Risk assessment robust framework for assessing urban social vulnerability (USoV) and associated risk assessment criteria, and
GIS-mapping
underscores its policy implications. Our framework integrates exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity di­
Socio-economic indicators
mensions to construct the USoVI. Applied to 146 urban centers in West Bengal, utilizing diverse indicators and
advanced GIS mapping, the framework reveals elevated vulnerability levels and socio-economic disparities.
Better understanding of vulnerabilities and guidance in addressing them is imperative so that effective and
context-specific interventions to enhance urban resilience and alleviate vulnerability can be developed. The
framework presented herein is a tool for evidence-based decision-making, empowering policymakers to craft
tailored strategies that address the distinct challenges – the exposure and associated sensitivity factors - faced by
diverse urban populations. By providing insights into the spatial manifestation of vulnerability and its far-
reaching societal implications, we aim to contribute to the creation of inclusive, secure, and sustainable urban
development. This method enhances our comprehension of vulnerability, providing urban planners with
essential knowledge to tackle the intricate aspects of social vulnerability in dynamic urban settings.

Specifications Table
Societal impact

Subject area Geography, Planning and Development

The term "vulnerability" encompasses a multitude of notions and
Category/categories of societal Societal
impact approaches [1,2], necessitating the establishment of a robust framework
Sustainable Development Goals GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality aimed at safeguarding the improvised sections of the population to
(SDGS) the research contributes GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and maintain resilience and eliminate risk factors [2,3]. Urbanization, while
to Communities an inevitable part of human development, brings numerous benefits to
Resource availability As this is a societal impacts review of former
research, the criteria will not applicable
mankind. However, it also amplifies diversified social vulnerability,
Related research article Majumder S, Roy S, Bose A, Chowdhury IR. repressing the idea of equal development for urban residents. As we
Multiscale GIS based-model to assess urban delve into the intricate fabric of urban life, this matter demands atten­
social vulnerability and associated risk: tion, unveiling the multifaceted challenges faced by city dwellers within
Evidence from 146 urban centers of Eastern
these domains. Furthermore, modern urban settlements, often consid­
India. Sustainable Cities and Society. 2023;
96: 104692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs. ered economic powerhouses, present a double-edged sword: while of­
2023.104692 fering tremendous prospects for social development, employment,
Stage of research Demonstrates the societal impacts of the innovation, and economic growth, they also exhibit deep-rooted in­
research work (Completed). equities and fragile living standards [2,4–6]. This study delves into the
fundamental consequences of urbanization, shedding light on its trans­
forming effects on societies and emphasizing the critical need for in­
clusive urban development strategies.

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected] (S. Roy).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100049
Received 6 July 2023; Received in revised form 16 December 2023; Accepted 4 March 2024
Available online 7 March 2024
2949-6977/© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-
nc/4.0/).
S. Roy et al. Societal Impacts 3 (2024) 100049

The USoV framework addresses a key gap in vulnerability assess­ So, the scalability and adaptability of our proposed framework make it a
ment, differing from models by organizations like the Intergovernmental valuable resource for fostering sustainable and resilient urban growth,
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), UN International Strategy for Disaster irrespective of the socio-economic disparities that may exist among
Reduction (UNISDR), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). different urban areas.
These models focus mainly on climate change and natural disasters,
treating socio-economic factors as secondary. In contrast, the proposed Methodology: an overview of critical model to capture urban
Urban Social Vulnerability (USoV) centers on social and economic issues social vulnerability
exacerbating social inequity and marginalization, especially in rapidly
urbanizing areas. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, multidi­ A recent study shows that urban regions worldwide are especially
mensional model that prioritizes household factors, shifting focus from vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change. Existing studies
the traditionally emphasized physical and environmental aspects. This focus on the social elements necessary for an equitable and sustainable
innovative approach explores the complex interplay between urbani­ urban society, but we focus on social vulnerability because it inversely
zation dynamics and social vulnerability, appealing to a broader audi­ affects inclusive well-being. We intend to address a fundamental issue
ence. USoV framework and its associated risk assessment also bridge a frequently overlooked in prior research by focusing entirely on social
critical gap in the current literature and functional methods of vulner­ vulnerability, thereby improving our understanding of urban commu­
ability assessment with socio-economic factors playing a peripheral role, nity challenges. The objectivity of the framework is rooted in a data-
the USoV framework exclusively centers on prevailing social and eco­ driven approach, leveraging empirical evidence to quantify and mea­
nomic factors that exacerbate social inequality, marginalization, and sure the impact of social factors on urban vulnerability (Fig. 1). This
deprivation, particularly in the context of rapid urbanization. The need study extensively explores potential geographical pockets that may be
for a comprehensive, multidimensional indicator-based model that pri­ vulnerable to a combination of social, economic, and environmental risk
oritizes household factors cannot be overstated. Such a model would factors. The identification of these vulnerable areas is crucial for
significantly mitigate the pronounced impact of physical and environ­ directing urgent attention toward addressing disparities and enhancing
mental factors, which have traditionally received more emphasis within the overall resilience and sustainability of urban environments.
scholarly circles. In the article we chose a foundational vulnerability The social context within this study remains consistent despite its
concept that idealizes the relevancy of USoV framework, and reframes in notable focus on diverse social deprivations experienced by urban in­
the context of dynamic urban perspective selective indicators for an habitants in the designated research area. Unlike some conventional
inclusive approach, highlighting the significant, intricate interactions approaches that may focus on a limited set of social indicators, our study
between urbanization dynamics and social vulnerability, and providing takes a holistic view, acknowledging the multifaceted nature of social
a methodological functionality to measure risks, in order to mitigate deprivations. We recognize that urban communities are characterized
vulnerability. by diverse socio-economic, cultural, and demographic factors. However,
Addressing this issue, we conducted a first-of-its-kind analysis across the socio-economic circumstances of urban residents are determined
146 urban centers in West Bengal, Eastern India, to formulate an through the technique of constructing a synthetic index based on
extensive framework for assessing Urban Social Vulnerability (USoV). household livability susceptibility. The ability of urban residents to
We utilized nationwide cross-sectional Socio-Economic Caste Census prevent, withstand, and eventually recover from various adversities
(SECC) data, prepared and monitored by the Ministry of Housing and affecting their livelihoods—such as poverty, disability, unemployment,
Urban Poverty Alleviation (MoHUPA), Government of India. The SECC malnutrition, and illiteracy—is an essential component of understand­
involved comprehensive, household-by-household enumeration during ing USoV and risk evaluation [4]. Risk entails the fusion of event
2011–2012, conducted across the entire country by the respective State probability and its adverse outcomes. Broadly speaking, the study em­
Governments and Union Territory administrations. The pivotal idea of ploys a comprehensive multidimensional indicator-based ‘Vulnerability
USoV revolves around the vulnerability and susceptibility experienced Index (VI)’ model that effectively addresses the complex characteristics
by individuals residing in urban areas when confronted with an array of arising from social vulnerability impact (I) [4]. This model harmoni­
social, economic, and environmental hazards and risks. ously combines exposure and sensitivity dimensions while adaptive
To comprehensively assess the USoV across 146 urban centers, we capacity (AC) serves as a crucial factor in determining the extent to
meticulously developed a scientific methodology to gauge the risk fac­ which consequences of vulnerability can be alleviated. By utilizing this
tor. Our approach integrates urban residents’ societal exposure (how sophisticated framework, the study aims to captivate and engage
residents manifest themselves with different socio-economic elements readers, fostering a higher level of involvement with the research topic.
that expose them to livelihood vulnerability), sensitivity (residents’ In essence, the model is represented as a function of ‘urban social
characteristics that accelerate susceptibility to threats and vulnerabil­ exposure (USoEI), urban social sensitivity (USoSI), and urban social
ities due to the interaction of exposure factors), and adaptive capacity adaptive capacity (USoACI)’ (Fig. 1). Based on the above discussion, the
(measuring urban residents’ ability to withstand vulnerabilities through USoVI model can be depicted as [4].
access to resources and human assets), along with their intricate in­
teractions within each domain. We devised a framework that in­ USoVI = (USoEI + USoSI) − (USoACI)
corporates 15 objective variables, encompassing their geographic In the initial stage 22 indicators were chosen to reflect the three
variability, to ensure a thorough evaluation of the USoV for use in other aspects of USoV: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. After
urban areas. sorting and refinement, the correlation matrix shows that fifteen in­
This rigorous process aims to engage researchers, policymakers, and dicators meet this standard, fulfilling the criteria for multidimensional
urban planners by providing a high level of detail and precision in the analysis. These set of fifteen indicators has been meticulously chosen,
assessment of urban vulnerability. The principal objective is to offer a and given unequal weight based on the Iyengar and Sudarshan’s method
comprehensive methodological framework and factor selection strategy (implement the spatial heterogeneity of the indicators and anticipate
that can be effectively applied to diverse urban areas for easy replication weight based on the performance of a specific indicator) the with error
on a global scale, regardless of the socio-economic variations among adjustment criteria to undergo a comprehensive assessment aimed at
urban areas. USoVI further explores the concept by analysing how social gauging the level of vulnerability and prejudice experienced by urban
factors, such as poverty, availability of resources, and prejudice, impact populations under specific circumstances referred to as social exposure.
the vulnerability of a population. Through a careful selection of factors, To obtain a holistic perspective on this matter, crucial factors pertaining
our strategy ensures that the framework remains flexible and applicable, to social exposure have been integrated. Sensitivity encapsulates the
catering to the specific needs and unique sphere of each urban context.

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S. Roy et al. Societal Impacts 3 (2024) 100049

Fig. 1. Conceptual framework for identifying USoV.

inherent characteristics of residents residing in urban areas, which urban locales, accompanied by insufficiencies in terms of adaptive ca­
profoundly influence their susceptibility to dangers and vulnerabilities pacity. The heightened exposure patterns scattered across West Bengal
within specified stressor scenarios. Moreover, certain critical factors can be ascribed to factors such as meagre payment, inadequate housing
have been taken into account to explore the adaptive capacity of urban provisions, homelessness, and chronic ailments. Moreover, substantial
dwellers during stressful situations, shocks, and risks in order to mitigate slum populations, elevated illiteracy rates, and economic insecurity
the risk of urban vulnerability. contribute to heightened sensitivity within urban centres. However,
The UsoV is innovative in identifying potential vulnerability risks areas characterized by diminished adaptive capacity are concentrated
based on threats, adaptive capacity, and social vulnerability and map­ primarily in southern and western parts due to subpar educational op­
ping areas with potential risks for more effective future risk mitigation portunities, higher unemployment levels, and limited access to vital
strategies. Additionally, spatial data analysis techniques such as Moran’s services. Furthermore, a risk assessment framework referred to as the
I and univariate Local Indicators for Spatial Analysis (LISA) were Urban Social Vulnerability Risk Index (USvRI) assesses the prospective
employed to detect neighborhood influences on USoV across 146 urban likelihoods for deprivation among livelihoods and impoverishment at an
centers. Furthermore, GWR (Geographically Weighted Regression) and institutional level amongst urban inhabitants resulting from USoV. The
MGWR (Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression) models were USvRI functions as a tool for quantifying and evaluating risks faced by
utilized in geographic analysis and spatial statistics to address spatial individuals and communities residing within urban environments owing
non-stationarity and examine spatially varying relationships between to their social vulnerability. The risk index showcases that high-risk
variables. This study represents foundational steps towards compre­ urban centres are predominantly situated within the southern and
hending the complex societal impacts that are challenging to measure in western portions of the state while exhibiting a clustered pattern.
previous studies due to the inclusion of unnecessary factors that deviate Conversely, low-risk urban zones are scattered throughout various parts
from desired outcomes. For instance, the majority of basic vulnerability following a disparate distribution pattern. These high-risk regions
research applies a similar framework when exploring the influence of demonstrate elevated scores on the exposure index signifying an
natural hazards, resulting in an incomplete understanding of USoV. This augmented vulnerability towards socio-economic marginalization
tendency has resulted in a piecemeal understanding of urban social events alongside lacking adaptive capacities rendering them more prone
vulnerability. The distinguishing feature of our study is its attention to to damages.
deciphering the intricacy of local scale societal effects through rigorous The USoVI offers a robust framework which integrates various di­
examination of the contributing aspects that might beneficial for the use mensions of vulnerability to provide a comprehensive assessment of
for small scale urban space. Our methodology is designed to identify and social risk within cities. This tool can be leveraged to inform evidence-
prioritize the most pertinent factors, streamlining the analysis to focus based decision-making processes, enabling the design of tailored pol­
on the core components driving societal vulnerability. The novelty of icies that effectively address the unique vulnerabilities and needs of
our approach lies in its context-specific adaptability. We acknowledge different urban centers. The present USoV model, while initially applied
that the relevance of factors can vary across different urban contexts, to urban centres in Eastern India, possesses a versatile framework that
and as such, our framework allows for a tailored examination of can be adapted to various global contexts. This adaptability is crucial in
vulnerability factors based on the unique characteristics of each loca­ urban social vulnerability assessments, as socio-economic conditions
tion. Our work seeks to offer a more realistic and efficient description of and urban dynamics differ significantly across regions. The method’s
UsoV by avoiding a generalised and homogeneous approach. Further, flexibility allows for the customization of indicators to reflect the unique
through ongoing dialogue with stakeholders and community members, characteristics of each urban environment, making it an invaluable tool
we aim to refine and tailor our methodology, ensuring it remains sen­ for global application. By modifying the set of indicators based on
sitive to the ever-evolving social landscape of the research area. regional socio-economic specifics, the USoVI can provide nuanced in­
sights into the vulnerability of urban populations worldwide, aiding
Results and implications policymakers in devising targeted strategies for mitigating social im­
pacts and decreasing vulnerability. This global applicability highlights
The findings of this scholarly article illuminate the social fragility of the broader significance of our research, offering a universal solution to
urban regions in 146 urban centers of Eastern India (West Bengal) understanding and addressing urban social vulnerability. Using these
through the utilization of the USoVI, which encompasses the facets of tools has shed light on deep-rooted inequities and fragile living stan­
exposure, sensitivity, and adaptability. The investigation unveils a dards prevalent in urban areas of West Bengal, India. By identifying and
considerable degree of exposure and vulnerability prevalent in most quantifying social vulnerability, it is possible to understand

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S. Roy et al. Societal Impacts 3 (2024) 100049

comprehensively the challenges urban dwellers face [7,8]. This knowl­ take proactive measures.
edge empowers policymakers to develop targeted policies and in­
terventions that promote equity and social justice. The tool has universal Funding
and global applicability. By addressing the specific needs of vulnerable
populations, policymakers can work towards reducing inequalities None
within cities globally and among different urban centres [9].
The findings regarding geographic patterns of vulnerability call for CRediT authorship contribution statement
spatial planning strategies and resource allocation methods that cater
specifically to distinct urban centres. The study also identifies specific Subham Roy: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis,
high-risk regions with elevated levels of social vulnerability. By pin­ Investigation, Methodology, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visual­
pointing these areas the potential is created to better prioritize re­ ization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Indrajit
sources, develop support strategies, and implement programs aimed at Roy Chowdhury: Writing – review & editing. Arghadeep Bose:
addressing the specific challenges faced by particular urban centres. The Investigation, Resources, Validation, Writing – review & editing. Sur­
application of geo-visualization tools illuminates geographic clustering anjan Majumder: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis,
patterns and underscores the significance of place-based approaches in Investigation, Methodology, Software, Validation, Writing – original
addressing social vulnerability while promoting inclusive and sustain­ draft, Writing – review & editing.
able development [9,10]. Incorporating these findings helps ensure that
urban development revolves around enhancing well-being and the Declaration of Competing Interest
quality of life for all urban residents, predominantly those facing
vulnerable circumstances. Also, in our framework for assessing USoV, The authors declare that they have no known competing financial
the interplay between governance and the management of national and interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence
sub-national scale data is critical. Effective governance is essential for the work reported in this paper
ensuring the integrity and accessibility of data, which is foundational to
any vulnerability assessment. Our methodology highlights the impor­ Acknowledgments
tance of governance in data collection, emphasizing the need for
transparent, accountable systems and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Firstly, the authors would like to express cordial thanks to Depart­
This approach ensures the accuracy of vulnerability indices and en­ ment of Geography and Applied Geography, University of North Bengal
courages comprehensive urban development strategies. By improving for providing opportunity in conducting the research work. This
governance aspects, such as stakeholder engagement and transparency, research paper was completed during the tenure of the UGC-JRF period.
we advocate for a collaborative approach in urban planning involving Besides, the authors would like to sincerely thank the editor Richard
government agencies, community groups, NGOs, and the private sector. Robert Reibstein for the insightful remarks. These insightful comments
This integrated approach is crucial in addressing the diverse challenges greatly assisted in improving the manuscript.
in urban environments, leading to more resilient and sustainable cities.
The research findings carry substantial implications for policymakers Ethics statements
and urban stakeholders, necessitating the dissemination of these out­
comes and active engagement with decision-makers to translate them Not applicable
into tangible policy actions. The study yields several significant policy
implications as follows: Firstly, policymakers should accord priority to References
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