The Vulnerable Geomorphology of Slope Habitat in Arequipa and Resilient Agriculture in its Peneplain; [A geomorfologia vulnerável do habitat de encosta em Arequipa e a agricultura resiliente em seu peneplano]

Gutiérrez-Pinto D. · Cuadernos de Geografia: Revista Colombiana de Geografia (2025) · DOI: 10.15446/rcdg.v34n1supl.109793

Resumen

This article examines the challenges faced by many popular settlements in Latin American cities, where adaptation to fragile territories —due to their geomorphological conditions—and coexistence with active agricultural areas have led to the excessive occupation of slopes. In the case of Arequipa, Peru, this has resulted in uncontrolled and hazardous urban growth. The main objective of this research is to demonstrate that housing located on hillsides occupies highly vulnerable territories, posing a constant risk to their inhabitants. To analyze the urban configuration of these complex occupied areas (hills and slopes), cartographic and topogeographic analyses of several case studies were conducted, along with an assessment of their direct relationship with the population (invisible structures), revealing the geomorphological outcomes of habitat adaptation and settlement. The results highlight the precarious provision of infrastructure and services, as well as the lack of accessibility, which prevents these settlements from being incorporated into risk management. At the same time, the study shows the threat of losing productive agricultural areas, which are essential to rural economic systems in the region. Given that similar scenarios are multiplying across the city, their evaluation becomes imperative.

Instituciones: Universidad Tecnológica del Perú