Relevant Factors in Assessing Vulnerability of Urban Systems in Latin-American Cities

Urban vulnerability is difficult to quantify, basically because of the difference among variables that contribute to its definition. Some of these parameters are originated in environmental processes and could be estimated by using efficiency indicators, others are more difficult to evaluate because of their dependence by social phenomena. In this work some ideas respect to an interdisciplinary and holistic approach are presented and discussed, developing a methodology to assess metabolism and resilience of cities under social, environmental and urban planning point of view. Preliminary results of study cases in northern Chile are also presented to justify proposed methodology to be used as predictive instrument of interventions in middle size cities.