VULNERABILITY IN NATURAL DISASTER RISK AREAS IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF NOVO HAMBURGO AND ESTRELA, RIO GRANDE DO SUL

This study aims to analyze the social vulnerability of communities using quantitative methodologies to compare different localities and municipal contexts, in order to gain a broader understanding of the risks faced by these communities. Reducing vulnerabilities is crucial for preparing communities to cope with extreme events. The study focuses on the municipalities of Novo Hamburgo and Estrela in Rio Grande do Sul. To calculate the Vulnerability Index, data from the 2010 Census was used, obtaining eleven indicators grouped into three dimensions: Urban Infrastructure; Human Capital; Income and Labor, both for the municipality as a whole and for the sectors at risk by themselves. In the case of the two municipalities, it is observed that the sectors with the best indices correspond to the original urban centers, whether or not they are in risk situations. It is clear that the environmental conditions that lead to the emergence of risk areas are the result of phenomena independent of human intervention and that different patterns of urban occupation can intensify or mitigate these risks. This study contributes to the identification of intervention and adaptation strategies that can improve the resilience of these communities in the face of future climate challenges.