@misc{9234757,
  abstract     = {{Heatwaves are expected to become more frequent and intense because of climate change, increasing the need for geographical analyses of heat vulnerability, particularly in heat-exposed urban environments. This study examines how different methods for constructing heat vulnerability indices affect the identification of vulnerable areas in Malmö. Two established methods are compared: an additive, unweighted index and an index based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Both indices are constructed using eight social indicators of heat vulnerability at the DeSO level (209 census tracts within Malmö).
The results show that the methods identify similar overall geographical patterns, with a relatively high correlation between the indices. However, clear differences emerge in how vulnerability is distributed between central and outer parts of Malmö. The additive index generally yields higher and more concentrated values in central areas where several indicators co-vary, while the PCA method produces a more differentiated result by reducing co-varying indicators into underlying components. PCA identifies separate dimensions of vulnerability related to socioeconomic status, household structure, and vulnerable age groups.
The study shows that the choice of method affects both the ranking of areas as well as which aspects of vulnerability are emphasized in the final index. The results contribute to the discussion of methodological choices in climate-related vulnerability research by demonstrating that different index methods can provide partly different outcomes and levels of analysis for climate adaptation work. The study identifies strengths and weaknesses for both methods and suggests that they might be better suited to different contexts, such as in-depth academic analysis (PCA) or repeated and practical analysis in municipal work (additive index).}},
  author       = {{Bork, Oskar}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Metodens betydelse för kartläggning av värmesårbarhet: en jämförelse mellan PCA och additiva index i en urban miljö}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}