Vulnerability and resilience in the metropolitan area of Munich during the pandemic: a qualitative assessment of environment, housing, tolerance, and inclusion

ABSTRACT

Einleitung The EU project SonarGlobal was conducted in five countries, including Germany, to reveal contributing factors to vulnerability and resilience in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The data obtained in Munich indicated that the characteristics of the city and its suburban districts are crucial determinants of vulnerability. This study questions the aspects of environment, housing, tolerance, and inclusion of the Munich metropolitan area to explore the mechanisms that increase vulnerabilities or resilience during the pandemic. Methoden In this qualitative study, in-depth interviews were performed with 82 people living in Munich and its suburban districts and who were faced with at least one mechanism that has the potential to create a biological or social disadvantage, such as age, gender, disability, health problems, occupation, or immigration status. We also interviewed 19 experts and community representatives on specific vulnerability and resilience mechanisms. Living conditions were questioned according to the physical and social environment, housing, stigma, discrimination, and support for inclusion. After the first round of coding, subcodes were created and the second round of coding was done as. This was followed by developing categories covering challenges and resilience factors. Ergebnisse 29 participants were from rural districts surrounding Munich while 53 were living inside urban districts. They originated from 22 different countries. Nine challenges (1. Common places for socialization and inclusion being closed;2. Interruption of organized support for inclusion;3. Isolation in over-centralized institutions and shelters;4. Limited access to IT technology;5. Limited solidarity between neighbours;6. Worsened housing conditions;7. Housing insecurity;8. Increased racism;9. Discrimination and stigma regarding adherence to COVID-19 rules) and four resilience factors (1. Being close to green places;2. Having outdoor spaces at home;3. Solidarity initiatives and strong relationships in neighbourhoods;4. Alternative means for organized support) were determined. For international students, refugees, seasonal workers and other immigrants, the challenges were more intense, while they reported the only significant resilience factor as being close to nature. The alternative support ways developed by the organizations could not be strong in the face of challenges. Stigma towards the disabled, immigrants and Muslims has increased, against which a significant resilience factor did not develop. In rural districts, challenges played a minor role while resilience factors were more effective. Schlussfolgerung The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the inequalities in people living in the metropolitan area of Munich and with a greater extent in people living in the urban district in terms of environment and housing, reduced the tolerance towards and inclusion of the most disadvantaged segments of society, and aggravated discrimination.