Socio-environmental vulnerability with emphasis in areas susceptible to floods: construction of a methodology applicable to the Brazilian territory

Abstract

The current society lifestyle, characterized by the indiscriminate use of natural resources and intense urbanization, exposes communities to various environmental threats, such as the potential for flooding. The State of São Paulo in recent years has been suffering from major floodevents that have caused economic and social losses, especially in the health of the population. As in other events with strong social determinants, the recent literature indicates that the most affected areas are inhabited by low-income segments of the population lacking basic infrastructure. The association of these factors intensifies the damage caused by environmental risks and decreases the responsiveness and quality of life of the exposed population. In this sense, the overall objective of this project is to analyze the evolution of vulnerability through the application of an indicator of socioenvironmental vulnerability to areas susceptible to flooding that integrates socioeconomic and demographic data of the IBGE Demographic Census of 2000, 2010 and 2020 and the areas of susceptibility to floods. It is hoped to validate this methodology so that the indicator can be used as a tool to subsidize the elaboration of risk management projects that are efficient for the improvement of populations exposed to floods throughout the Brazilian territory. (AU)