Percepção dos riscos de inundações no Bairro Preguiça – Maranguape (CE)

Abstract

This research addresses the risks of flooding in the Preguiça neighborhood, Maranguape / Ceará, covering more specifically the perceptual approach these risks. This approach is of great importance in that it presents data showing how residents perceive and understand the context of risks to which they belong, including information that can be extremely useful to risk management. In addition, aspects related to perception are hardly highlighted in studies of risks. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the perception that of the residents of the Preguiça neighborhood have about the flooding risk in that area, addressing the different aspects that may have influenced the observed perceptions. At the same time, the objective was to verify the measures taken (and to be made) in respect of such risks. The development of this study was performed by means of surveying and mapping and literature review; field observations; making maps; development and implementation of questionnaires; and discussion of the data obtained through the questionnaires and field surveys. The data on the perception of residents and issues relating to it were organized and analyzed on the following variables: experiences and knowledge related to accidents and / or alert conditions; conditions of flooding, causality and responsibility; evaluation and choice; threshold security and lastly, adjustments and other reactions to the risks. The results show that 92% of respondents consider the existence of flood risk in the area, 58% have adopted at least one preventive measure of immediacy and only 22% had changes in the structure of their respective residences. In the end, proposals were presented and discussed measures to be taken in order to reduce the risk of flooding in the area and prevent accidents.