Use of geotechnologies for mapping of subject to flooding areas in urban zones: case study of the urban zone of Pelotas/RS

Abstract

The subject of this work is the study of the urban zone of Pelotas City, RS, Brazil. In order to reach it, the information about the natural relief of the city area was organized and related to the urban drainage information, to identify inward risk areas, susceptible to inundation. The purpose is to minimize the lack of information related to the subject, intending to promote the composition of an orientation system to the use and occupation of the land, besides the educational aspect. Trough the resources of remote sensing environment and Geographic Position System it was possible to identify the risk, compose a important instrument to define the urban expansion areas, equipment localization and pollution activities. From the results, obtained by digital simulation, it was possible to find out that approximately 37,5% of the urban territory are less than 5 meters high and situated near water, increasing the risk of inundation. It demonstrates the necessity of more accurate diagnosis of draining, related to the land use and occupation planning activities. The practical use of this method, identifying and mapping inundation risk areas, gives evidence of its applicability to other cities.