Floods and urban sprawl, their socio-environmental implications

Abstract

The institutional response is analyzed from the perspective of disaster risk management concerning socio-environmental implications, such as floods resulting from extreme rainfall in the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara (AMG), Mexico, over the past ten years. It is observed that since the beginning of the century, flood events have increased more rapidly in the last two decades to date. Similarly, the promotion of urban development oriented towards transportation, which in this case has involved vertical construction and the optimization of the urban mobility system, is also noted. Thus, a relationship is found between the increase in flood points and vertical construction in the territory. The theory of Risk Management and its application in the public sector is employed, specifically referring to the disaster risk management approach. Methodologically, process traceability analysis is used from a qualitative perspective, geospatial analysis is applied to understand the flood phenomenon, and participatory observation fieldwork is conducted. One of the main findings is that authorities manage to adapt territorial management instruments, but not the reduction of practices by real estate developers.