Developing a Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) for Risk Mapping

Abstract

community, in Jilotepec, State of Mexico, with risk mapping purposes. Design/Methodology/Approach: A Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) was developed based on sociodemographic indicators, housing characteristics, and the conditions of the production systems. The information sources for the SVI indicators were obtained from official Basic Geostatistical Area (AGEB) censuses and from an online survey carried out in the community under study. The SVI was cross-referenced with data from four previously published natural hazard studies for risk mapping purposes. Results: The methodological proposal uses equal weight index statistical techniques to develop the SVI. Using online surveys is a clearly viable option for research studies that require to obtain more detailed data on housing characteristics, as well as the population’s perception of certain changes in precipitation and temperature patterns that are happening in their community and the measures, they take to face these natural phenomena. Study Limitations/Implications: Online surveys are relatively recent, which implies the need to design and implement validation and sampling mechanisms for the results. Findings/Conclusions: Risk mapping enabled the territorial visualization and identification of the communal vulnerability conditions, which facilitates a conceptual approach to the social reality of the population and will allow the formulation of potential future scenarios of climate change and the implementation of public policies.