Crecimiento urbano de la ciudad capital de La Rioja, Argentina, 1970-2011. Análisis de riesgos

Abstract

The population increasing in the larger population centers, such as the main cities of a State, was due to the migration from the inland territories, looking for a better life quality, the generational growth and the assumption that what people was looking for, was not sustainable at their home. This situation urgently brought the obligation and the need to provide housing solutions to this demand in several ways. Conse- quently, the private development and the launch of federal programs were encour- aged by the government focused in building neighborhoods to satisfy the demand. All this took place, like elsewhere, in La Rioja city. Because of the need and hurry, it is estimated that there were not a strategic planning for the territorial occupation. This article underlines the need of the information, at least the geomorphological one, to avoid having adverse consequences when weather events occur in the area of in- terest. The public information and land use background in the area to urbanize, led to the conclusion that some site locations were not appropriate, since when an extraor- dinary phenomenon comes up, as significant rainfalls, the buildings have undesired consequences. This situation is understandable taking in consideration the storm- water runoff in streets, especially in the rainy season resulting in floods, road and street blockades, deprivation of essential services, etc. The analysis of historical aerial photographs of the 1960s, satellite data provided by the Landsat series and updated existing data in Google Earth were some elements used to achieve to the conclusions.