Vulnerability Levels and Adaptative Capacities to Heatwaves of Citizens in Belgrade, Serbia

Sammanfattning

Climate observations show that Serbia has been experiencing an increase in mean temperatures and frequency of heatwaves, in part due to its high population growth and unsustainable urbanisation. The goal of this research was to establish the heatwave level of vulnerability in Belgrade municipalities and determine citizens' adaptive capacities. The MOVE framework was used to determine vulnerability, and an online survey was carried out to gather data on adaptive capacities. Very high vulnerability was found in the municipalities of Palilula, Zemun and New Belgrade. The survey was in accordance with the ArcGIS-generated vulnerability map. It showed a high adaptation capacity of the low-vulnerability, high-income respondents living in the central municipalities of Old Town and Vračar. Results show that adaptation capacity is highly determined by income and social inclusion levels. This research can serve as a good basis for defining city-level measures to reduce the consequences of heatwave effects in Belgrade.