Rethinking vulnerability in city-systems: A methodological proposal to assess "urban entropy"

Area of Science:

• Urban Systems Analysis
• Risk Management
• System Dynamics

Background:

• Urban systems are complex and dynamic, constantly evolving and producing entropy.
• Traditional vulnerability assessments often overlook the interconnectedness of various risks.
• Systemic entropy, representing energy loss and inefficiency, offers a novel perspective on urban fragility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an alternative viewpoint for investigating urban system vulnerability.
• To conceptualize vulnerability as arising from the interactions of multiple risks, termed 'integrated territorial risk'.
• To explore the possibility of measuring 'systemic entropy' in urban systems under ordinary conditions.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical framework based on complex systems and entropy.
• Analysis of dysfunctions within key urban system components.
• Investigating the potential for quantifying internal entropy production.

Main Results:

• Vulnerability can be understood through the lens of integrated territorial risk.
• Systemic entropy offers a metric for assessing inherent urban system inefficiencies.
• Identification of urban system dysfunctions is key to mitigation strategies.

Conclusions:

• A new framework for understanding urban vulnerability through integrated risk and systemic entropy is presented.
• Measuring internal entropy can reveal underlying fragilities.
• Strategies to mitigate fragility and enhance urban resilience can be developed based on this analysis.