In this study we intent to contextualize the topic environmental vulnerability on the world stage, highlighting similarities and differences in their conceptions in Portugal and Brazil. In the literature about the vulnerability is already established the contribution of Geotechnologies, especially the Systems of Remote Sensing and Orbital Imaging as well as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and its potential for modelling physical and socioeconomic aspects for the prevention, mitigation and facing risk manifestations, whether natural, technological or mixed. This paper aims to discuss the methodological framework of vulnerability studies and the results of application in the modelling of socioeconomic and environmental data in the context of the Region Centre of Portugal and the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The methodology for analysing the vulnerability of these regions was based on quantitative studies of the capacity of resistance and resilience of populations and territories. The results were consistent with the socio-environmental realities of the study areas and reflect the complexity of facing and recovery of risk situations in case of territories and populations under low economic conditions and urban infrastructure, whether in Brazil and Portugal.
Socio-environmental vulnerability; Cartography; Quantitative methodology; Portugal; Brazil