Lokale Risikomündigkeit

This thesis explores the contribution of the concept of ‘lokale Risikomündigkeit’ (local risk awareness) to the study of societal handling of natural hazards. ‘Risikomündigkeit’ is based on the promise of an enlightened society of responsible citizens and is expressed in the practice of risk management. After engaging in critical reflection, the author develops the concept of 'lokale Risikomündigkeit' as a praxeologically, rationally and geographically sound analytical heuristic. It becomes clear that the social practice of risk management is characterised by diverse, partly contradictory forms of logic that cannot be assumed to be conventionally rational and cannot be comprehensively grasped by purely evidence-based risk management approaches.