|
Author(s): J. Gaspar, A. Tavares & J. Azevedo
Abstract:
This paper describes an attempt to understand environmental and risk perception
in a periurban area.
Based on physical characteristics, an analysis of surface
processes and the identification of the development of land use, certain
environmental vulnerabilities were isolated.
The study area corresponds to a
small-scale hydrological basin which enabled an inventory of local affinities and
common interests to be produced.
A survey was undertaken of a sample of 220
local residents in order to assess concerns about natural resources, hydrological,
soil and atmospheric contamination, natural and technological hazards, the
general quality of life and community needs.
The results show that the major
concerns focussed on natural resources, especially ground waters, noise and light
pollution.
Natural hazards do not appear to be relevant concerns, in spite of a
long history of flooding.
Conservation laws are identified as being important for
the development of the local community, as opposed to planning and
remediation measures.
Keywords:
periurban area, water demands, environmental vulnerabilities, local
survey data, local concerns, sustainable management.
1 Introduction:
Studying the public's perception of quality of life and the general welfare of the
community has become an important issue (Marris et al.
[1]; Lima and Castro
[2]).
Vulnerability analysis, consisting of the identification and evaluation of
natural and technological hazards, is nowadays both a concern for planners,
politicians and residents and an area of interest for the media (Slovic [3]).
...
Pages: 10
Size: 947 kb
Paper DOI: 10.2495/SPD050271
|
|
Download
the Full Article
Price: US$
0.00
This article is part of the WIT OpenView scheme and you can download the full text Adobe PDF article for FREE by clicking the 'Openview' icon below.
 Send
this page to a colleague.
|
Home
Follow WIT Press
WIT Press on Twitter
Wessex Institute of Technology on Blogspot
