ABSTRACT
A key issue that derives from the concept of vulnerability is the notion of coping strategies. The economic consequences in terms of work days lost and costs of treatment due to the exposure to health risks reinforce vulnerability and poverty. Environmental problems in cities occur in different contexts and have effects on different scales: from the smallest entity of the individual and household level up to municipality, city-region and a global level. In a foreign environment, people tend to group with people that share their background and - very importantly - their language. Information is one of the most valuable assets shared within social networks. The struggle for a decent life of the poor and vulnerable in the developing world must gain a first priority status on the agenda as it is very likely that a growing number of people will be forced to destroy environmental assets in order to survive.
