Análise espacial das áreas de risco em Manaus: aplicação do índice de vulnerabilidade socioambiental como instrumento de gestão estratégica na redução dos riscos de desastres

Abstract

This dissertation studied socioenvironmental vulnerability in Manaus, Brazil. It aimed to understand the increase in the number of disasters in recent years. The main objective was to develop a system of spatial analysis based on a socioenvironmental vulnerability index to assist in elaborating efficient strategies to prevent and mitigate the impact of disasters. In addition, the research characterized and assessed the spatial distribution of risk areas; mapped socioenvironmental vulnerability in Manaus by integrating social, economic, and environmental indicators; and analyzed policies for managing and mitigating disasters in the city. The study adopted the Urban Environmental System (UES) methodological approach, together with geoprocessing techniques. This integration enabled the organization of multi-ple variables and the collection of spatial information. In addition, the research used other spatial analysis techniques, including kernel density, data management tools, satellite images retrieved from Google Earth Pro, and applications within a geographic information system (GIS). The results show that the North and East areas of Manaus are more challenging than the other areas for disaster policy management and implementation because they concentrate the majority of the city’s population at risk, approximately 95,000 out of the 121,111 individuals at risk identified in Manaus. In addition, these areas concentrate 344 out of the 483 risk sectors identified by the Geological Survey of Brazil and the Civil Defense of Manaus. The North and East areas have the neighborhoods with the highest socioenvironmental vulnerability indicators, which fall into the high vulnerability class – such as Tancredo Neves (0.491), Jorge Teixeira (0.438), and the Industrial District (0.408). Therefore, these areas should be prioritized for the implementation of actions to reduce the risk of disasters. The research also identified limitations and weaknesses in risk management and disaster response policies, particularly the predominance of corrective or short-term actions and the need to expand longterm initiatives. However, some important measures have been implemented, such as those developed through the Social and Environmental Program for the Igarapés of Manaus (PROSAMIM) and, more recently, through PROSAMIN+, which aim to mitigate risk-related impacts through urban redevelopment and housing interventions, although these initiatives have been implemented only in specific areas of the city. Another important ac-tion is the implementation of the municipal civil defense alert system. Manaus presents sig-nificant elements of socioenvironmental vulnerability that require short-, medium-, and longterm policies designed to reduce vulnerabilities and expand programs aimed at reducing both vulnerabilities and sociospatial inequalities. The study identified and mapped factors that undermine urban resilience in the face of events that directly influence people’s vulnerability and increase their exposure to disasters. Thus, the socioenvironmental vulnerability index is shown to be an effective tool for supporting the strategic management of territory, enabling the recognition of vulnerability patterns, the prioritization of critical areas, and the guidance of preventive public policies and the strengthening of disaster risk reduction actions in Manaus. In addition, the index can be adapted and applied to other cities in the Amazon region that also face disaster risk problems