Lunenburg Part 2 - Section 5 - Social Vulnerability - August 30.pdf

maps of equal or superior quality to computer-generated graphics, even a very simple rendition
using tracing paper placed over a map showing dissemination area boundaries would be
effective. It was the position of this project within the suite of ACAS projects that ultimately
determined the use of an automated geospatial mapping and synthesis approach.
Review of Municipal Planning Policy and Emergency Management
This component of the research involved a document review of the District’s Strategic Plan,
Integrated Community Sustainability Plan, and Economic Development Strategy, as well as
secondary plans for coastal areas in the District. Consultations with emergency management
personnel provided information about emergency management plans. The purpose was to
determine the extent to which considerations of social vulnerability are integrated into municipal
planning and emergency management.
Consultations
The next step in the study’s methodology was to carry out consultations with sources of local
knowledge. This process helped to ensure the inclusion of relevant factors in the index of social
vulnerability, as well as to compensate for weaknesses in the index and provide further local
context. Additionally, consultees provided further insight into municipal planning and emergency
management policy and practice. This type of approach is consistent with the work of Wall and
Marzall, Dolan and Walk, and Ford et al. 21 While most assessments of social vulnerability use
only either a statistical or community-based approach, the use of both approaches in a single
study allows it to benefit from the strengths of each method, while counterbalancing their
weaknesses. 22
This method was important because dissemination areas in rural areas, such as the District of
Lunenburg, are quite large, with the result that the index of social vulnerability could not capture
some important local factors. The consultations with knowledgeable local persons provided more
detailed information about how social vulnerability might manifest in rural areas, and the types of
needs that socially vulnerable persons might experience in an extreme weather event.
These consultations were semi-structured in nature, allowing consultees to speak broadly about
their understanding of social vulnerability in Lunenburg District. This strategy ensured that
unexpected information would be included in the perspective of local social vulnerability. A list of
questions helped to structure the conversation so that any areas of interest not identified by the
consultees could also be explored.
Selecting Persons to Consult
Persons selected for consultation included the following:
municipal Councilors, who have knowledge of local decision-making processes and
issues of concern in the community;
municipal planners, who are aware of community demographics and development
patterns;
Community Services, Public Health and Community Health representatives, who are
knowledgeable about health and socioeconomic concerns in the community, and have
direct contact with socially vulnerable persons;
21 Wall and Marzall, 2006.
22 Tapsell et al., 2010. p. 26–27.
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