Spatial analysis of social vulnerability in São Paulo city, Brazil

Natural disasters have a major impact on communities around the world, especially in the developing world. Since natural hazards have greater impacts on vulnerable communities, it is crucial to identify them and to determine the variables that contribute the most to increasing the overall social vulnerability. In this study, we assessed the social vulnerability to natural hazards in São Paulo city using the Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI). SoVI is a widely applied quantitative measure to evaluate social vulnerability proposed by Cutter and others in 2003. Since the factors that contribute to the variability of SoVI are unique to a region, this study identified those small areas of vulnerability unique to São Paulo city while assessing its SoVI. Different to previous studies in the study area, this study assessed social vulnerability at the neighborhood level. Results show that Demographic and Average Household Size is the dimension that contribute the most to social vulnerability in São Paulo city. Other important dimensions are related to the presence of Precarious Sectors, Female Household, Renter, Indigenous Peoples, No Income, and No Basic Infrastructure. Our findings also illustrate that the most vulnerable neighborhoods are located in the southern areas and outskirts of the city. Moreover, most of the favelas have high SoVI. Results include a map showing the spatial distribution of social vulnerability of São Paulo city. This map can serve local authorities as a basis for emergency planning and policy making and to allocating financial resources to the most socially vulnerable areas. •Southern and outer neighborhoods in São Paulo city are more vulnerable to natural hazards than those in central area.•The factors that influence natural hazard social vulnerability in São Paulo city are Demographics and Average Household Size, Precarious Sectors, Renter, Indigenous, Female Household, No Income, and No Basic Infrastructure.•The Demographics and Average Household Size dimension explains the most variance of the social vulnerability in São Paulo city.