Paisagens residuais: rios e córregos no Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo

Abstract

The municipalities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo present a dramatic socio-environmental situation, expressed mainly by the occurrence of floods, landslides, air, water and soil pollution, and infernal traffic, to mention just a few issues. This situation, among other reasons, is one of the consequences of the urbanization process that has been occupying the territory through the systematic degradation of springs, water bodies, forests, floodplains, hills, mangroves and dunes. The banks of rivers and streams, as well as steep slopes areas of risk and environmental fragility - have been the place where low-income residents, excluded from the formal housing market, manage to find accommodation. These forms of housing, mostly precarious and lacking services, have extremely negative impacts on systems that are fundamental for the reproduction of human life and for the preservation of the quality of the urban landscape. The text presents a comparative analysis of the situation in the two cities, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, based on quantitative and qualitative data on favelas and other types of irregular housing, located in Permanent Protection Areas (APPs) along springs and watercourses, evaluating the main socio-environmental problems found. The actions and proposals of the public authorities for this type of occupation will also be analyzed, discussing the limits and perspectives of these actions. The text will conclude by pointing out some guidelines for addressing these issues, considering the construction of the landscape as a process that involves ecological and cultural issues. In theoretical terms, the study understands the idea of ​​landscape not only as a material reflection of the interrelations between nature and culture, but also as a means capable of actively influencing the process of formation of contemporary culture (Corner 1999). Thus, this study considers the social and environmental values ​​that underlie the conflicts and clashes between different groups in the process of constructing the urban river landscape.