From the application of widely accepted methods, different levels and types of natural threats were defined, as well as an assessment to the constructive typology and characteristics of the damages observed in houses. As a relevant part of the vulnerability analysis, the condition of four marginal areas located in the Venezuelan Andes were scrutinized. The endeavor was carried out within the frame of the Program of Physical Refurbishment of Slum Areas, sponsored by the national Government. The methods applied in the study, along with their limitations and difficulties, were subsequently outlined as a tool to facilitate decision-making as a self-management instrument. With the purpose of facing the serious problem of vulnerability in slum- inhabited areas, the principles thus outlined seem to be reasonable and solid: the physical zoning and the characterization of threats as the basis for the determination of physical vulnerability, followed by a social-oriented work focused at instructing the community in terms of self-management, based on prevention and mitigation principles. All these actions were supported by a team of urban development specialists, with a prospective view to execute a number of engineering works. In all the cases proposed by this study, and despite the initial motivation for the work to be executed, the scheme has not worked out adequately and the condition of the slum areas, at present, is even worse than that observed prior to the application of the program.
A partir de la aplicación de técnicas ampliamente aceptadas, se definen niveles y tipos de amenazas naturales, así como la evaluación de la tipología constructiva y características de daños observados en viviendas. Como parte importante del análisis de la vulnerabilidad se examinan las condiciones de cuatro áreas marginales ubicadas en los Andes venezolanos y bajo el Marco del Programa de Habilitación Física de Zonas de Barrios, instrumentado por el gobierno nacional. Se definen las técnicas, sus limitaciones y dificultades como herramientas que faciliten la toma de decisiones e instrumento autogestionario. El enfoque así planteado, con el objetivo de encarar el grave problema de la vulnerabilidad en áreas ocupadas por barrios, parece razonable y sólido: zonificación física y caracterización de amenazas como base para la determinación de la vulnerabilidad física, seguido de un trabajo social orientado a preparar la comunidad en términos de autogestión, basados en la prevención y mitigación. Todas estas acciones apoyadas por un equipo de urbanistas y la posibilidad de realizar un conjunto de obras de ingeniería. En todos los casos planteados en este estudio, y a pesar del estímulo inicial, el esquema no ha funcionado y la situación de los barrios es, hoy en día, sensiblemente mas grave que al comienzo de la aplicación del programa.
