Background

Matthias Garschagen studied Geography, Anthropology and Economics at Cologne University, Germany, and at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. His main foci were on resource planning, vulnerability assessment, urban studies and governance. Prior to his engagement in the WISDOM project, Matthias conducted research on electricity governance in Pune, India.

Working Area at UNU-EHS

Matthias is a Research Associate at UNU-EHS working in the German-Vietnamese WISDOM project (Water Related Information Management System for the Mekong Delta).

Within this project his research focus is on assessing vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities among urban population groups with regards to natural hazards and climate change impacts.

Publications (Selection)

Peer reviewed articles:

Garschagen, M. (2011): Resilience and Organisational Institutionalism from a Cross-Cultural Perspective – An Exploration based on Urban Climate Change Adaptation in Vietnam. In: Natural Hazards. Online first. DOI: 10.1007/s11069-011-9753-4

Birkmann, J.; Garschagen, M.; Kraas, F.; Quang, N. (2010): Adaptive Urban Governance: New Challenges for the Second Generation of Urban Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change. In: Sustainability Science. vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 185-206. 

Birkmann , J.; Buckle, P.; Jäger, J.; Pelling, M.; Setiadi, N.; Garschagen, M.; Fernando, N.; Kropp, J. (2010): Extreme Events and Disasters: A Window of Opportunity for Change?  Analysis of Organizational, Institutional and Political Changes, Formal and Informal Responses After Mega-Disasters. In: Natural Hazards. vol. 55, no. 3, pp. 637-655.

Other reviewed articles:

Garschagen , M. (2010): Potential Humanitarian Crises and Climate Change Adaptation in the Coupled Social-Ecological Systems of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. In: Shen, X.; Downing, T.E.; Hamza, M. (Eds.): Tipping Points in Humanitarian Crises: From Hot Spots to Hot Systems. SOURCE No.13/2010. pp. 45-55. 

Lynn, S.; Garschagen, M.; Lehmann, J.; Khan, S.; Drew G.; Prasad, V.; Nkem, J.; Mushongah, J. (2010): Introducing the „Hot System”-Approach to Tipping Points in Humanitarian Crises. Shen, X.; Downing, T.E.; Hamza, M. (Eds.): Tipping Points in Humanitarian Crises: From Hot Spots to Hot Systems. SOURCE No.13/2010. pp. 14-21.

Garschagen , M.; Binh, N.T.; Thach, L.N. (2009): Vietnam: The Challenge of Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation. In: Birkmann, J.; Tetzlaff, G.; Zentel, K. (Eds.): Addressing the Challenge: Recommendations and Quality Criteria for Linking Disaster Risk Reduction and Adaptation to Climate Change. DKKV Publication Series, 38. pp. 18-20.

Reviewed book chapters:

Garschagen , M.; Renaud, F.; Birkmann, J. (in print): Dynamic Resilience of Peri-Urban Agriculturalists in the Mekong Delta Under Pressures of Climate Change and Socio-Economic Transformation. In: Steward, M.; Coclanis, P. (Eds.): Environmental Change and Agricultural Sustainability in the Mekong Delta. Springer.

Garschagen , M.; Kraas, F. (in print): Urban Climate Change Adaptation in the Context of Transformation – Lessons Learned from Vietnam. In: Zimmermann, K. (Ed.): Cities and Adaptation to Climate Change. Springer.

Garschagen , M. (2010): Opportunities and Challenges of Climate Change Adaptation in High Risk Areas Using the Example of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. In: Dölemeyer, A.; Zimmer, J.; Tetzlaff, G. (Eds.): Risk and Planet Earth. Vulnerability, Natural Hazards, Integrated Adaptation Strategies. Stuttgart. pp. 56-65.

Garschagen , M.; Revilla-Diez, J.; Nhan, D.K.; Kraas, F. (forthcoming): Socio-Economic Development in the Mekong Delta: Between the Prospects for Progress and the Realms of Reality. In: Renaud, F.; Künzer, C. (Eds.): The Mekong Delta System - Interdisciplinary Analyses of a River Delta. Springer.

Birkmann , J.; Garschagen, M.; Tuan, V.V.; Binh, N.T. (forthcoming): Profiling Present and Future Vulnerability to Water-Related Hazards in the Mekong Delta. In: Renaud, F.; Künzer, C. (Eds.): The Mekong Delta System - Interdisciplinary Analyses of a River Delta. Springer.

Birkmann , J.; Garschagen, M.; Fernando, N.; Hettige, S.; Tuan, V.V.; Oliver-Smith, A. (forthcoming): Relocation: Reduction in Exposure – Increase in Susceptibility? Measuring Dynamics of Vulnerability before, during and after Relocation Processes in the Context of Disasters and Natural Hazards. In: Birkmann, J. (Ed.): Measuring Vulnerability to Natural Hazards. Towards Disaster Resilient Societies. 2nd Edition. UNU Press.

Conference proceedings (selection):

Garschagen, M. (2010): Urban Upgrading and Resettlement of Slum Dwellers in the Mekong Delta – Long-term Sustainability or Vulnerability Pitfall? Proceedings: International Workshop on Socio-Economically Sustainable Development in Vietnam. 01-03 December 2010, Hanoi.

Garschagen, M.; Kraas, F. (2010): Assessing Future Resilience to Natural Hazards – The Challenge of Capturing Dynamic Changes under Conditions of Transformation and Climate Change. In: Custer, R.; Sutter, C.; Ammann, W. (Eds.): Proceedings. International Disaster and Risk Conference, IDRC 2010, 30 May – 03 June 2010, Davos: 209-213.

Garschagen , M. (2009): Urban Climate Change Adaptation in Vietnam: Institutional Challenges and Research Agenda. Conference proceedings, ICCUF 2009, International Conference on the Impacts of Climate Change on Urban Flooding, 24-26 June 2009, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Miscellaneous (selection):

Birkmann , J.; Garschagen, M.; Tuan, V.V.; Binh, N.T.: Vulnerability Profiles for Present and Future Water-Related Hazards in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta – Providing the Information-Base for Successful Coping and Adaptation within the Framework of Integrated Water Resources Management.- In: WISDOM Phase I – Final Project Final Report. Presented to BMBF.

Garschagen , M. (2005): Green Accounting – Useful Tool for Environmental Protection or Normative Pitfall?- Radio Documentary, Broadcasted on 22 April 2005, JCFM, Vancouver, Canada.