SOURCE No. 5/2006: Measuring the UN-Measurable by Jörn Birkmann & Ben Wisner

Measuring the Un-Measurable – is a short and succinct title as well as an indication of the challenges and difficulties in deriving appropriate methodologies, indicators and criteria to identify, measure and assess vulnerabilities of societies at risk. This SOURCE publication is an essential reading for those interested in vulnerability research and the assessment and measurement of it. The publication by J. Birkmann and B.Wisner leads us through the thematic areas which were discussed, outlines the different scales of the assessment approaches presented, and analyses the nature of vulnerability measurement.

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Measuring the Un-Measurable – is a short and succinct title as well as an indication of the challenges and difficulties in deriving appropriate methodologies, indicators and criteria to identify, measure and assess vulnerabilities of societies at risk. This SOURCE publication is an essential reading for those interested in ulnerability research and the assessment and measurement of it.The publication by J. Birkmann and B.Wisner leads us through the thematic areas which were discussed, outlines the different scales of the assessment approaches presented, and analyses the nature of vulnerability measurement. In this context the term “measuring vulnerability”does not solely encompass quantitative approaches. It also seeks to discuss and develop all types of methods able to translate the abstract concept of vulnerability into practical tools, classifications and comparative judgments to be applied in the field. Therefore, the publication is well balanced in this discussion of quantitative and qualitative approaches. Case studies gave particular emphasis to current disasters and the respective vulnerabilities, such as the vulnerabilities disclosed in tsunami devastated in Sri Lanka, the vulnerability of coastal communities in the US Gulf Coast revealed through the passage of hurricane Katrina, the recent floods in Russia in the Volga region, and the vulnerability assessment undertaken in Tanzania covering multiple hazards.Vivid discussions emerged – and reported – around the novel topics like how to capture institutional and environmental vulnerability – issues which have not been investigated in depth in the past. Conclusions summarize urgent research needs.The recommendations provide a valuable source of ideas for future research projects and particular aspects to be considered when aiming to measure the un-measurable.