Spatial structure of heatwave damage-vulnerability concentration areas and analysis of response inequality

This study aims to diagnose spatial inequality in heatwave damage - vulnerability - response conditions across local jurisdictions in South Korea by adopting an integrated analytical framework. Rather than focusing solely on climatic exposure, this study emphasizes observed heatwave-related health damage, represented by heat-related illness incidences, and examines its spatial associations with vulnerability and response capacity. First, regression analysis was conducted using heat-related illness incidences as a damage indicator to determine key vulnerability factors associated with heatwave-related health damage. Second, Bivariate Local Moran’s I was applied to examine spatial associations between heatwave damage and significant vulnerability factors, leading to the identification of heatwave damage - vulnerability concentration areas. Third, the spatial overlap of these concentration areas was assessed, and their association with response capacity was examined using road-network-based accessibility indicators to neighborhood parks, emergency medical facilities, and fire stations, in order to identify spatial inequality in heatwave responses. The results indicate that the proportions of older adults, basic livelihood security beneficiaries, multicultural households, and old housing significantly affect heat-related illness incidences. Among 229 local governments, 12 regions were identified as high-damage, high-vulnerability but low-response areas, requiring priority intervention. This study provides an integrated understanding of spatial interactions among heatwave damage, vulnerabilities, and response capacity, offering evidence for redistributing response facilities and developing locally tailored climate adaptation strategies.