Comprehensive vulnerability of the parishes of the canton of Santa Elena: A principal components approach, 2022

There are several ways of calculating the vulnerability of territories, in which socioeconomic, physical, infrastructural and legal aspects, among others, are determined, but no methodology integrates all these aspects into a single function. Under this context, it is proposed to build and apply an integral methodology based on development approaches and other variables that relate the territories’ vulnerability with the construction of disaster risk indicators. The proposed methodology is the principal component analysis, which proposes a system of integration of variables and quantitative indicators that involve all the dimensions of the territories’ vulnerability explained through their variance. The use of 51 indicators from official statistical sources and in-situ data collection was specified. The main conclusions are that there are differences between the official planning results, in contrast with the proposed model of integral vulnerability; since the evolution and adaptation of the territories are not efficiently reflected in the current methodologies, vulnerability indicators are over- and under-dimensioned, resulting in inefficient disaster risk policies. The proposed model involves many dimensions adapted mathematically so that the territories can identify their vulnerability and thus adequately channel sustainable programs and projects