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

Marina B. Martínez-González, Celene B. Milanes, Jorge Moreno-Gómez, Samuel Padilla-Llano, Alex Vásquez, Allan Lavell, Ana Saltarín-Jiménez and Andrés Suárez
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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

Social Sciences, 2021, vol. 10, issue 11, 1-12

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.

Keywords: developing cities; quality of life; risk reduction; social vulnerability; sustainable development goals; urban poverty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:10:y:2021:i:11:p:411-:d:664065

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