[Workshop] Fragile Places: Rethinking Habitability in a Changing Climate

Climate change is fundamentally altering our understanding of habitability worldwide. From devastating floods in the Horn of Africa displacing millions to existential threats faced by small island nations and unprecedented climatic events in Europe, we are witnessing the emergence of what we define as “fragile places” – locations where populations find themselves increasingly exposed to human-made climate disruptions without effective means to mitigate impacts, either through in-situ adaptation or mobility. These communities often experience a complex tension between socioeconomic constraints and deep emotional ties to place, leading to repeated attempts at adaptation that may result in maladaptation over time. This workshop challenges traditional approaches that place responsibility on affected individuals for “not leaving sooner” or making the “right choices.” We aim to bring together scholars studying various hazards and disasters, employing different theories and concepts and contribute to initiating an active and systematic discourse across intellectual domains and boundaries concerning the diverse dimension of securing habitability in a rapidly changing world.