Water vulnerabilities mapping: a multi-criteria and multi-scale assessment in central Chile

Abstract One of the major challenges that populations have to face is vulnerability water: lack water, flooding, pollution, hazard sensitivity and coping capacity. Owing economic, social environmental inequalities, this paper focuses on water-related vulnerabilities in Metropolitan Region Santiago (RMS) Chile. Our main objective understand, through mapping, multiscalar logics water vulnerability. This study carried out at two scales: regional level (RMS), we proceed with open access municipal statistical data maps, while local level, a more detailed analysis focusing Chacabuco Province based same type but either higher spatial resolution (census districts) or spatially intensive processing order take into account intra-municipal differences. In way, put perspective discourse developed Chilean media by inhabitants regarding province as an ‘sacrifice zone’ for RMS. The maps are different scales simple reproducible way multi-criteria evaluation (MCE). results confirm hypothesis sacrifice zone show high-resolution adequate give, average, lower scores than using only level. provide cartographic decision support stakeholders. Limitations discussed required further research pointed out.