Approaching from the perspective of sociological studies of natural disasters, the article probes the issue of the construction of popular housing and of the community's relations with its constructed environment. Based on an empirical study of landslides in a hilly area on Recife's north side, it seeks to ascertain how much is known about practices that can minimize the effects of the disaster felt by the community. Information derived from questionnaires and interviews is used to reconstruct both the population's strategies in the face of landslides as well as their views on the place where they live. This information likewise serves as a basis in identifying the community's vulnerability and its capacity to deal with its surrounding environment.
popular settlements; sociology of disasters; environment