Abstract ID: 3.10747 | Not reviewed | Requested as: Talk | TBA | TBA

The study presents a nationwide, spatially explicit assessment of buildings and citizens exposed to riverine flooding, torrential flooding, snow avalanches, and multi-hazards in Austria. It combines two datasets: (a) hazard information from local-scale hazard maps, and (b) building stock data, including location, size, building category, construction period, and population register data to estimate the number of occupants for each building. The results challenge the assumption that exposure will inevitably increase due to population growth and rising property values. The study shows that exposure levels vary based on regional differences in building stock development. While some regions have seen growth above the national average, others have experienced slower growth. These variations are influenced by Austria’s diverse topography, economic activities, and development priorities. The temporal assessment of exposure reveals significant differences in the dynamics of exposure to various hazards in relation to the total building stock. The findings emphasize that exposure to hazards does not automatically follow population or asset growth trends. In conclusion, the property-based assessment proves to be an effective tool for nationwide exposure assessments. It provides a robust framework for identifying key non-climate risk drivers and offers valuable insights for operational risk management. These insights should inform the development of adaptive strategies to improve resilience in the face of climate change. The study highlights the importance of integrating such assessments into long-term planning and policy development to address complex hazard exposure and asset growth dynamics.