A methodological proposal for assessing social vulnerability in populations affected by the risk of flooding: The case of Aguilas, Murcia, in the southeast Iberian peninsula

This paper assesses social vulnerability associated with flooding in a coastal population of Murcia by building an index. The main socio-economic and demographic indicators are taken into account in the data sources. A factor analysis was performed on the selected indicators to infer and reduce the number of variables involved. To obtain the social vulnerability index, the indicators were combined with the results of a previously administered perception survey, thus improving the number of dimensions usually considered in the construction of these indices. Finally, social vulnerability was mapped on a census tract level to identify sectors that are likely to be affected by flooding and their degree of social vulnerability.