Innovation in urban forestry planning aimed at promoting resilient and healthy cities: contributions to the implementation of the National Urban Forestry Plan

• Grant number: 24/15349-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research in Public Policies
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Maurício Lamano Ferreira
• Grantee: Maurício Lamano Ferreira
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: ANA LÍCIA PATRIOTA FELICIANO MARANGON ; Arnaldo Tenório da Cunha Júnior ; Camila Amaro de Souza ; Camila Aoki ; Catherine Torres de Almeida ; Cristiano Capellani Quaresma ; Diego de Melo Conti ; Eliane Guaraldo ; EVERTON CRISTO DE ALMEIDA ; FERNANDO PERIOTTO ; Flávio Teixeira da Silva ; GISSELI RAMALHO GIRALDELLI DOS SANTOS ; Jennifer Viezzer ; JOSEALDO TONHOLO ; Klécia Gili Massi ; Lindamir Hernandez Pastorini ; Luciana Bongiovanni Martins Schenk ; Marcelo Vieira Ferraz ; Mariza Barion Romagnolo ; Maurício Bonesso Sampaio ; Patricia Bulbovas ; Paulo Antonio de Almeida Sinisgalli ; Regina Márcia Longo ; Renata Bovo Peres ; Ricardo Keiichi Nakazato ; Samuel Carvalho De Benedicto ; Silvia Rahe Pereira ; Tatiana Sussel Gonçalves Mendes ; Teresa Cristina Brazil de Paiva ; Thiago Mendonça de Aquino

Abstract

Studies that support the planning of sustainable cities considering key elements of environmental, social and public health development are essential to establish a system with equitable environmental regulation. In this context, the municipal urban forestry plan (PMAU) is crucial, since green infrastructure provides several ecosystem services that are fundamental for resilience and adaptation to extreme climate events. For these plans to be effective at the local level, it is necessary to establish broad, innovative and efficient guidelines through national policies that guide local urban plans to be efficient. One example is the Resilient Green Cities Program of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA). Innovative, low-cost and highly efficient methodologies are necessary for success in cities with diverse socioeconomic and environmental profiles. The 3:30:300 Rule, an innovative method, addresses urban socio-environmental challenges, such as reducing air pollution (AP), mitigating urban heat islands (UHI), reducing vulnerability to natural disasters (VDCN), and reducing the incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The Rule recommends the presence of three healthy trees in front of each house, 30% tree cover per territory, and access to qualified green areas within 300 meters. However, in large cities, neighborhoods with greater socioeconomic challenges have less qualified sidewalks, making mobility in these green spaces difficult. This project will evaluate the application of this Rule in cities (n=12) from all Brazilian regions, selecting neighborhoods with different income conditions and socio-environmental conditions (AP, UHI, VDCN, NCDs, and sidewalk conditions). During the project, the National Urban Forestry Plan (PLANAU) will be developed and implemented by the MMA, in conjunction with civil society and universities. The results are expected to technically support the PLANAU guidelines, promoting efficient PMAUs for urban greening and well-being. (AU)