Breaking down the risk of flooding in the urban periphery, the urgency of a participatory action

Abstract

Informal settlements (IS), commonly located on the urban periphery, are constructions that are usually more susceptible to flood risks. It is a complex problem centered on two major factors, namely the institutional and the social vulnerabilities associated with this issue. The purpose of the present study is to analyze the main institutional and social weaknesses, particularly those that limit participatory actions, which have exacerbated the situation of flood risks for the IS. It was found at the Puebla municipality that the inhabitants of the IS tend to develop their social participation in parallel groups that are often disconnected and uncoordinated. Therefore resulting in local improvements that aim for “urban upgrading”, but preventing risk is not a priority. One of the main conclusions reached by this research is that the municipal government must urgently provide conditions for a coordinated participatory work to be implemented with the social sector, focused on raising awareness of the need for risk prevention and to develop joint strategies to break down this problem. The chosen methodological approach is qualitative, based on research-action, promoting direct interaction with the local residents and, occasionally, with local authorities in favor of collective learning.

Keywords:
Vulnerability; Floods; Informal Settlements; Urban periphery