Criticality Analysis

A tool for a world in disruption

Authors

  • Lyvia Nascimento Cirqueira Fischer Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC)
  • Tanja Schnittfinke TU Dortmund
  • Bruna Brauer Braga Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36942/dialogossocioambientais.v8i24.1461

Keywords:

Criticality Assessment, COVID-19, interdependencies, accessibility, marginalized groups

Abstract

The article explores the application of the Criticality Analysis methodology, adapted to investigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the livelihoods of marginalized groups in three urban contexts: Cape Town (South Africa), the Ruhr Region (Germany), and São Paulo (Brazil). The research employed participatory criticality assessment to elucidate the cascading effects of mobility disruptions on access to critical urban infrastructures, resulting from disturbances in transportation systems during the pandemic. Through cascading effect representations, the study sought to demonstrate the interdependencies among urban systems and the possible chain reactions triggered by changes in transport, impacting access to essential everyday services such as education, health, social assistance, food, and nutrition.

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Author Biographies

Lyvia Nascimento Cirqueira Fischer, Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC)

Master’s student in Territorial Planning and Management (PGT) at UFABC, funded by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel of the Ministry of Education (CAPES). She holds a degree in Environmental and Urban Engineering from the same university. She is part of the research group evaluating the impacts of COVID-19 on livelihoods, mobility, and accessibility of marginalized groups (ICOLMA) within the PGT/UFABC, in partnership with the territorial planning departments of the University of Cape Town in South Africa and TU Dortmund University in Germany.

Tanja Schnittfinke, TU Dortmund

Tanja Schnittfinke is a research associate at the research group of Regional Development and Risk Management at TU Dortmund University. Her work focuses on urban resilience, social inequality and criticality. Currently undergoing her Phd, her research explores how disruptions of services of general interest affect vulnerable populations during times of crisis.

Bruna Brauer Braga, Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC)

Bruna Brauer Braga is an architect and urban planner with a degree from the Federal University for Latin American Integration (UNILA) and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Territorial Planning and Management (PGT) at the Federal University of ABC (UFABC), supported by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), Ministry of Education. She is a member of the Territorial Planning Laboratory (Laplan/UFABC) and participates in the project "Impact of COVID-19 on livelihoods, mobility, and accessibility of marginalised groups (ICOLMA)".

References

FISCHER, L. N. C.; BRAUER, B.; TERRA, M. F.; ZIONI, S.; SCHNITTFINKE, T. Repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to critical infrastructures in the city of São Paulo from the perspective of the public transport system. In: NATIONAL MEETING OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH IN URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING, 21st, 2025, Curitiba. Proceedings Curitiba: Realize Editora, 2025. Available at: https://editorarealize.com.br/artigo/visualizar/122592. Accessed on: Aug. 21, 2025.

KRUSE, P. M.; SCHMITT, H. C.; GREIVING, S. Systemic criticality: a new assessment concept improving the evidence basis for CI protection. European Journal for Security Research, [s. l.], v. 6, p. 149–171, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41125-021-00074-0.

PEREIRA, R. Distributive justice and equity in transport: legacy of mega-events and inequalities in access to opportunities in Rio de Janeiro. Brasília: Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada, 2019.

SÃO PAULO (Municipality). Municipal Secretariat for Mobility and Transport. Ordinance SMT No. 81, of March 24, 2020. Establishes temporary and emergency rules necessary for the full implementation of the Public Passenger Collective Transport Service. Official Gazette of the City of São Paulo, São Paulo, Mar. 24, 2020.

SCHNITTFINKE, T. et al. Criticality assessment and cascading effects: impacts of COVID-19 disruptions in public transport on marginalized groups in Dortmund, Germany, São Paulo, Brazil, and Cape Town, South Africa. Journal of Surveillance, Security and Safety, v. 5, n. 3, p. 140–159, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20517/jsss.2024.11

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Published

2025-12-23

How to Cite

FISCHER, Lyvia Nascimento Cirqueira; SCHNITTFINKE, Tanja; BRAUER BRAGA, Bruna. Criticality Analysis: A tool for a world in disruption. Diálogos Socioambientais, [S. l.], v. 8, n. 24, p. 86–93, 2025. DOI: 10.36942/dialogossocioambientais.v8i24.1461. Disponível em: https://periodicos.ufabc.edu.br/index.php/dialogossocioambientais/article/view/1461. Acesso em: 14 aug. 2026.

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 24 (2025): Before and beyond the pandemic

Section

Jovens que pesquisam

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Diálogos Socioambientais

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