Social resilience assessment for urban fires in Guimarães historic center

This study investigates social resilience to urban fires in the historic center of Guimarães, Portugal, focusing on preventive, adaptive, coping, and recovery capacities. Online and face-to-face surveys collected data from 143 respondents, including residents, workers, and visitors. The results reveal significant differences in fire preparedness and awareness, with only 27 % of respondents having experienced directly a fire and 63 % participating in fire drills. The analysis shows that residents and workers are more familiar with emergency resources than leisure visitors and that previous fire experiences and drills significantly improve fire response preparedness. Demographic variables such as age, gender, and nationality do not significantly impact emergency response decisions, except for knowledge of emergency contacts, where foreign nationals are less aware than locals. The resilience analysis indicates that, although many residents have shelter and alternative work options, financial constraints reduce their ability to manage reconstruction independently. It highlights the need for targeted educational programs, improved communication strategies between authorities and the public, and increased investment in financial support mechanisms to strengthen community resilience. The study also underscores the importance of future research to explore the influence of family structures and cultural dynamics on fire resilience, evacuation drills' effectiveness, and community support networks' role in post-disaster recovery. Extending this study to other areas with similar characteristics or integrating it with vulnerability analyses could further improve the resilience level to urban fires. These findings provide a comprehensive framework for improving urban fire preparedness and response in historic centers, contributing to safer and more resilient communities. • Revealed gaps in fire preparedness and fire awareness among respondents. • Residents and workers showed more familiarity with emergency resources than visitors. • Limitations on residents and workers were identified in the reconstruction capacity. • Young adults prioritize human lives over cultural assets; older adults weigh both. • Except for knowing emergency contacts, foreigners showed no major disadvantages.