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Understanding Social and Environmental Hazards in Urban Areas: An Analysis from Barranquilla, Colombia

Author

Listed:
  • Marina B. Martínez-González

    (Department of Social Sciences, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080001, Colombia)

  • Celene B. Milanes

    (GeMarc and GESSA Research Groups, Department of Civil and Environmental, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080001, Colombia)

  • Jorge Moreno-Gómez

    (Department of Business Studies, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080001, Colombia)

  • Samuel Padilla-Llano

    (Department of Arquitecture and Design, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080001, Colombia)

  • Alex Vásquez

    (Department of Social Sciences, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080001, Colombia)

  • Allan Lavell

    (Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO), Curridabat 11801, Costa Rica)

  • Ana Saltarín-Jiménez

    (Disaster Risk Management Office, Barranquilla 080003, Colombia)

  • Andrés Suárez

    (GeMarc and GESSA Research Groups, Department of Civil and Environmental, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080001, Colombia)

Abstract

The present research aims to understand the challenges faced by a Colombian city in the context of multidimensional risk scenarios, given the existing demographic and socio-economic conditions and local perspectives and perceptions regarding socio-environmental risks. The research was undertaken in the city of Barranquilla, northern Colombia. A survey was designed to analyze (1) the general socio-economic and vulnerability conditions of a communities’ sample, (2) information related to hazards and disaster risk in their neighbourhoods, and (3) information on actions to mitigate risk. Three hundred and ninety-one people were surveyed. Likert scale and Pearson's Chi-square test and descriptive, inferential statistical methods, regression models, and the Mann–Whitney U test were used to process the results. Respondents lived, in general, under precarious socio-economic conditions (such as low income or lack of infrastructure and others). Given socio-environmental constraints, the research revealed that hazards such as urban stream flooding and robbery were the most negatively associated with the respondent’s quality of life. Regarding the actions to avoid losses, 84% of respondents had not implemented any preventive action. Respondents also have low awareness of the need to implement risk prevention actions. Social risks and the configuration of anthropic hazards stand out as principal centres for concern.

Suggested Citation

  • Marina B. Martínez-González & Celene B. Milanes & Jorge Moreno-Gómez & Samuel Padilla-Llano & Alex Vásquez & Allan Lavell & Ana Saltarín-Jiménez & Andrés Suárez, 2021. "Understanding Social and Environmental Hazards in Urban Areas: An Analysis from Barranquilla, Colombia," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:10:y:2021:i:11:p:411-:d:664065
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yi Ge & Wen Dou & Ning Liu, 2017. "Planning Resilient and Sustainable Cities: Identifying and Targeting Social Vulnerability to Climate Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-19, August.
    2. Melisa Acosta-Coll & Francisco Ballester-Merelo & Marcos Martínez-Peiró, 2018. "Early warning system for detection of urban pluvial flooding hazard levels in an ungauged basin," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 92(2), pages 1237-1265, June.
    3. Celene B. Milanes & Marina B. Martínez-González & Jorge Moreno-Gómez & Ana Saltarín J. & Andres Suarez & Samuel E. Padilla-Llano & Alex Vasquez & Allan Lavell & Seweryn Zielinski, 2021. "Multiple Hazards and Governance Model in the Barranquilla Metropolitan Area, Colombia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-24, March.
    4. Anna Bozza & Domenico Asprone & Gaetano Manfredi, 2015. "Developing an integrated framework to quantify resilience of urban systems against disasters," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 78(3), pages 1729-1748, September.
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