Induced and trend scenarios of the urban sprawl effects on environmental and walkability conditions in São Paulo state's cities

• Grant number: 24/23425-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning - Architecture and Urbanism Technology
• Principal Investigator: Roberta Consentino Kronka Mülfarth
• Grantee: Paula Lelis Rabelo Albala
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/01097-2 - Sustainable growth accomodation for State of São Paulo Cities, AP.CCD

Abstract

Urban sprawl materializes as an extensive territorial approach that advances into areas with little or no infrastructure, green or protected zones, and unsuitable regions or those subject to environmental risks. This phenomenon generates inefficient urban voids, creates low connectivity in basic infrastructure networks, and encroaches on areas with socio-environmental functions for the municipality. Furthermore, sprawl reinforces urban organization based on a model of urbanization centered on mobility, relying almost exclusively on motorized transport to the detriment of active mobility. As a result, it penalizes populations living in peripheral areas who depend on public transportation and contributes to the loss of urban vitality. In this context, this research aims to compare trend and induced scenarios, focusing on environmental and walkability issues in selected cities. The applied research will adopt an exploratory and qualitative approach within the field of urban planning, employing four main strategies: bibliographic and documentary research, geospatial analysis, focus groups, and case studies. The goal is to propose technical guidelines and recommendations to mitigate urban sprawl concerning environmental and walkability issues in projects, plans, and public policies. The findings will be disseminated through institutional repositories, indexed publications, technical guides, and manuals to support the implementation of public policies.