Por trás da lona preta: necropolítica e deslizamentos em Salvador, Bahia.

Abstract

Mass movements are natural processes that occur on slopes but become hazardous when they affect human populations. Salvador has the highest incidence of these events among Brazilian cities, predominantly concentrated in areas inhabited by low-income, Black communities, and households headed by women, whose income largely derives from informal labor. However, historically, government responses have been largely limited to the installation of plastic sheeting on slopes, rather than the implementation of structural policies. This study examines the role of the State in addressing recurring landslides in Salvador. Specifically, we analyze how the government conceptualizes risk through its official documents and investigate the relationship between racism, the process of population vulnerability, and the occurrence of landslides over time. Additionally, we assess the causes of landslides and structural collapses in Salvador between 2000 and 2015, correlating them with rainfall patterns while also scrutinizing the actions and omissions of the public authorities (Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary) documented on this issue. Grounded in the Critical Physical Geography framework, our research is based on the analysis of institutional documents, including the Plano Diretor de Encostas (Slope Master Plan), municipal legislative proposals and actions from 2011 to 2021 (as recorded in the Diário Oficial), and recommendations from the State Prosecutor’s Office, particularly those documented in case No. 003.9.23974/2021. Our findings indicate that the primary causes of landslides and collapses in Salvador are linked to infrastructure deficiencies, including precarious housing conditions, inadequate stormwater drainage systems, lack of basic sanitation, and insufficient slope containment measures. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive strategies and long-term planning, such as an updated Plano Diretor de Encostas, improved drainage systems, and housing access programs. Furthermore, we observe that government responses are predominantly reactive and short-term, often shaped by political interests that disregard the Plano Diretor de Encostas, expert recommendations, and judicial rulings. However, recent improvements stem from grassroots mobilization, advancements in national policies, and the active role of the State Prosecutor’s Office. Ultimately, our study concludes that landslides in Salvador are neither “natural” events nor politically neutral phenomena. Rather, they represent manifestations of necropolitics, which sustain population vulnerability and reinforce socio-spatial exclusion. This scenario reflects the persistence of a colonial neoliberal state, where market-driven interests are prioritized over the needs of the population – particularly low-income and Black communities – perpetuating risks, trauma, material losses, and human casualties.