Concept of urban vulnerability

Urban vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of cities and their inhabitants to suffer damage, losses or negative impacts derived from adverse events, whether natural, social, economic or technological. This condition is determined by the interaction between physical, social, economic and environmental factors that affect a city's ability to anticipate, resist, adapt and recover from these threats.

In the urban context, vulnerability not only considers the physical risks associated with phenomena such as floods, earthquakes or landslides, but also the social and economic conditions that aggravate the exposure and response capacity of the population. Therefore, urban vulnerability is a multidimensional concept that involves structural, institutional and social organization aspects.

Social factors

Social factors are key determinants of urban vulnerability, as they determine who and how are affected by urban risks. Poverty, social exclusion, poor housing and lack of access to basic services significantly increase the vulnerability of certain population groups.

In addition, demographic composition, education, community cohesion and social organization influence the capacity for adaptation and resilience in the face of adverse events. Social vulnerability is usually concentrated in informal settlements, where the precariousness of living conditions limits the possibilities of prevention and recovery.

Physical and environmental factors

Physical factors include geographical location, the quality of urban infrastructure, the design and distribution of urban space. Cities located in areas of high geological, hydrological or climatic risk have greater physical vulnerability.