Mapping Flood Susceptibility in an Urban Area of Vitória de Santo Antão–PE

Abstract

Objective – To identify and map areas susceptible to flooding in an urban sub-basin located in the municipality of Vitória de Santo Antão–PE, within the Tapacurá River basin, through the integrated analysis of physical criteria and land use and occupation, aiming to support urban planning and hydrological risk management.
Methodology – The study was developed using an applied and exploratory approach, employing geoprocessing techniques within a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. Altimetric data from the Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the Pernambuco 3D Project (PE3D), land use and land cover information from MapBiomas, and tools from QGIS and GRASS GIS were used for the delimitation of the urban sub-basin, slope analysis, flow accumulation, and land use assessment. The criteria were reclassified and integrated through multicriteria analysis, enabling the generation of a flood susceptibility map.
Originality/Relevance – The originality of this study lies in the integrated application of physical and anthropogenic criteria focused on a specific urban sub-basin frequently affected by flooding but still underexplored from a spatial susceptibility perspective. The research contributes to advancing academic discussions on hydrological risk management in medium-sized cities in northeastern Brazil.
Results – The results revealed a concentration of areas with high flood susceptibility along Avenida Mariana Amália and Avenida Henrique de Holanda, mainly associated with high soil impermeability, low slopes, and increased surface flow accumulation. The final map showed consistency with historical records and previous studies, validating the adopted methodology.
Theoretical/Methodological Contributions – Methodologically, the study demonstrates the effectiveness of GIS and multicriteria analysis in identifying flood-prone areas without the need for complex hydrological modeling. Theoretically, it reinforces the importance of integrating physical factors and land use in urban risk assessments.
Social and Environmental Contributions – The findings provide technical support for urban planning and the formulation of public policies aimed at flood mitigation, particularly regarding urban drainage. Additionally, the study contributes to reducing socio-environmental impacts associated with extreme events, promoting greater urban safety and resilience.