Jörn Birkmann

Jörn Birkmann is a Professor for Spatial Development and Environmental Planning and Director of the Institute of Spatial and Regional Planning (IREUS) at the University of Stuttgart. Previously, he served as Head of the Section 'Vulnerability Assessment, Risk Management and Adaptive Planning' at the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) from 2007-2014, and as Assistant Professor at the University of Bonn from 2010-2014. He received his PhD in Engineering from the University of Dortmund in 2003 with distinction and completed his habilitation in Geography at the University of Bonn in 2009.

His research focuses on vulnerability and risk assessment, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and adaptive urban governance. He has developed conceptual frameworks for examining vulnerability and risk profiles in the context of natural hazards and climate change, with particular interest in coupled social-ecological systems under climate change conditions. His work spans both quantitative and qualitative assessment methods for measuring vulnerability, resilience, and adaptive capacities of societal groups, critical infrastructures, and regions.

His publication record shows a strong focus on empirical studies of vulnerability dynamics, particularly regarding rural-urban linkages in flood-prone areas, heat stress vulnerability in urban settings, and transboundary vulnerability clusters requiring regional cooperation. His research often employs interdisciplinary approaches combining spatial analysis with social science methods to understand complex vulnerability patterns.

• IPCC Lead Author for Special Report on Managing Extreme Events
• Member of IRDR Science Committee since 2013
• Full member of the Academy of Spatial Research and Planning
• Editorial Board Member of International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
• Recipient of University of Dortmund Dissertation Prize in 2004

Professor Birkmann leads a research team at IREUS that includes several academic staff members who frequently collaborate on publications, particularly focusing on vulnerability assessment in different geographical contexts. His work demonstrates strong international collaboration, with research projects spanning Germany, Pakistan, Greece, Indonesia, and other countries affected by climate-related hazards.