Phasing out of nuclear - Phasing out of risk? Spatial assessment of social vulnerability and exposure to nuclear power plants in Germany

Abstract

While nuclear power plants (NPP) are built back in Germany, the exposure risk will remain for some time being. This study conducts a geospatial analysis in exposure radii from 5 to 80 km around 41 NPP sites in and around Germany. The results show that 40 out of 113 major cities are exposed, and that vulnerability patterns vary. Foreigners and women live closer to NPPs, while it is the opposite with young and elderly people. This non-regular spatial distribution of population groups can be important to guide evacuation and emergency planning.