This paper deals with the environmental characterization of a large and densely populated area, with a poor reputation for contamination, considering the contribution of environmental features (air, soil, soil hydraulic and groundwater) and the potential effects on human health. The use of Geographic Information System (GIS) has made possible a georeferenced inventory and, by overlaying environmental information, an operational synthesis of comprehensive environmental conditions. The cumulative effects on environmental features were evaluated, taking into account superposition effects, by means of the Spatial MultiCriteria Decision Analysis (S-MCDA). The application of the S-MCDA for converging the combination of heterogeneous factors, related to soil, land and water, deeply studied by heterogeneous groups of experts, constitutes the novelty of the paper. The results confirmed an overall higher potential of exposure to contaminants in the environment and higher mortality rates in the study area for some tumours, but hospital admissions for tumours were generally similar to the regional trend. Besides, mortality data may be strictly dependent on the poor socioeconomic conditions, quality of therapy and a lack of welfare in the area relative to the rest of Italy. Finally, as regards the possible relationship between presence of contaminants in the environment and health conditions of the population no definite conclusions can be drawn, although the present study encourages the use of the new proposed methods, that increase the possibilities for studying the combined effect of more environmental factors.
Abstract. The paper discusses research criteria for mapping urban vulnerability, focusing on the elements at risk. The study works in the framework of the "case-study research" and takes in account the impacts of a specific hazard risk (seismic event) in the City of Gran Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The paper proposes a critical framework that addresses planning methods toward a more efficient support to face seismic hazard. The research question is how vulnerable are contemporary cities? And, is it possible to promote city resistance through more adequate knowledge about the assets at risk? So the study starts from the concept of risk as combination of hazard, vulnerability and exposure and propose a risk oriented methodology aimed at collecting and interpreting data about the comprehensive vulnerability of the city. Based on innovative structure of a dedicated GIS inventory, the model describes the elements at risk by a set of specific applying indicators purposely selected in order to mapping the exposure of the city to a seismic hazard and to represent urban vulnerability.
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