Analysis of an occupation in an area at risk of landslides in Recife-PE

case study in Córrego da Telha

Abstract

The urban space of the city of Recife presents as one of its main characteristics the occupation of hills, where there are often dwellings built on slopes and, therefore, susceptible to landslides. This scenario constitutes one of the main challenges related to land occupation, in the context of urbanization, which is faced by municipal management. Therefore, in order to analyze the conditions of these occupations, this research was conducted in the Córrego da Telha community, located in a region of occupational vulnerability with a geomorphology conducive to the occurrence of landslides, where current evidence of this problem was investigated. To achieve the objective, field visits were carried out, exploration of space-time data, bibliographic surveys and analysis of information made available by the Civil Defense of Recife. Throughout the research, it was found that in Córrego da Telha most of the occupations are located in areas at risk of landslides, with a lack of support structure and with a precarious sanitation system. Although compensatory measures, such as the application of plastic sheeting and the construction of retaining walls, have been implemented, problems such as the accumulation of garbage and the lack of an adequate drainage system have been observed. At the end of the survey, it was found that 39% of existing homes and 45% of homes built between 2015 and 2023 have slopes above 20º. In addition, at least 5 times a year, the Civil Defense is called upon by the population to act in situations of immediate landslides. This study proved to be extremely relevant, bringing up a reflection on the peculiar conditions of occupations in the region, since it is an area of high social vulnerability in relation to different aspects, constituting an area of urban occupation with challenges complexes.