ABSTRACT
The text presents a discussion about environmental disasters caused by river floods in two Brazilian cities of relevant heritage and historical value: Goyaz Velho (Goiás) and São Luiz do Paraitinga. In both situations there are two great vulnerability factors: the city’s geographical location (at the bottom of a valley, along a watercourse), and the building material – mud (cob). There is great similarity regarding the factors that caused these two tragedies, which are associated to inadequate land management and disorderly urban sprawl. Finally, a series of preventive measures (before the damages) are proposed aiming at minimizing and mitigating the impacts of these accidents.
