Human Vulnerability in the La Fortuna de San Carlos district, Costa Rica

Abstract

Based on the analysis of 12 quantifiable indicators, an index and map were developed to study human vulnerability in the La Fortuna de San Carlos district, Costa Rica. The impacts of certain natural hazards have caused deaths in and near the district, establishing that there have been human settlements exposed to hazards as well as deficiencies that make people more susceptible to adverse events. The study generates results that contribute to zoning, especially to highlight areas susceptible to the impact of adverse events, and to protect lives and avoid casualties. Through fieldwork, the study mapped the exposed human settlements while the information of the indicators was processed at the level of the Minimum Geostatistical Units. The results suggest that the most influential indicator in the overall vulnerability of the studied area is ‘exposed human settlements’. It is also point out that the highest vulnerability is in the western and eastern part of the studied area. Nevertheless, the district's human vulnerability is relatively low.

Keywords

• vulnerabilidad, indicadores, exposición, amenazas, costa rica