Evaluation of territorial planning instruments from the perspective of anthropogenic geomorphology: case of Rodoanel northern section

• Grant number: 17/21860-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2018
• End date: February 28, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Physical Geography
• Principal Investigator: Cleide Rodrigues
• Grantee: Pamela Cristina Cazaroto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Under the influence of international movements, Brazil instituted during the 80s the National Environmental Council (CONAMA), the National Environmental System (SISNAMA) and, with them, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) instruments, through which the social and environmental impacts of certain projects should be studied to minimize some of their undesirable effects. In the following decades, studies on the accumulated experience of applying impact assessment instruments have shown that there are gaps in the physical environment approach, due to the absence of scientific parameters and integrated analyzes. In the case of the geomorphological studies applied through these evaluations, the approach is, in most cases, inadequate, and but a few morphological criteria are treated. This general framework has enabled the central purpose of this research which aims to use selected geomorphological indicators to perform a parameterized analysis of EIAs and the EIR formulated for the construction of the Rodoanel Mario Covas - Northern Section. It is intended to demonstrate the potential of these parameters and to analyze the effectiveness of these instruments for quantitative evaluation of impacts on the physical environment, particularly those of hydrogeomorphological nature. Three sample areas will be used for the different interventions on highway sections: tunnels, viaducts and surface, on which will be applied geoindicators and physical patterns related to the original and anthropogenic morphology. It is sought to apply this methodology for a correct dimensioning of the direct changes and indirect effects that large roads cause in fluvial and slopes systems in situations of plateaus in the humid tropical environment. (AU)