Step by step: a participatory action-research framework to improve social participation in coastal systems

Author(s):Show less -

Natalia de Miranda Grilli ^[1] ; Mariana Martins de Andrade ^[2] ; Luciana Yokoyama Xavier ^[3] ; Cláudia Regina Santos ^[4] ; Fernanda Terra Stori ^[5] ; Cauê Dias Carrilho ^[6] ; Felipe Otavio Nunes ^[7] ; Caiuá Mani Peres ^[8] ; Melissa Vivacqua ^[9] ; Thiago Zagonel Serafini ^[10] ; Paulo Antonio de Almeida Sinisgalli ^[11] ; Cristiana Simão Seixas ^[12] ; Pedro Roberto Jacobi ^[13] ; Alexander Turra ^[14]

Affiliation:Show less -

^[1] São Paulo University. Oceanographic Institute - Brasil

^[2] São Paulo University. Oceanographic Institute - Brasil

^[3] São Paulo University. Oceanographic Institute - Brasil

^[4] São Paulo University. Oceanographic Institute - Brasil

^[5] São Paulo University. Oceanographic Institute - Brasil

^[6] São Paulo University. Institute of Energy and Environment - Brasil

^[7] São Paulo University. School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities - Brasil

^[8] São Paulo University. Oceanographic Institute - Brasil

^[9] São Paulo Federal University. Institute of the Sea - Brasil

^[10] Paraná Federal University. Center for Marine Studies - Brasil

^[11] São Paulo University. School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities - Brasil

^[12] Campinas State University. Center of Environmental Research and Studies - Brasil

^[13] São Paulo University. Institute of Energy and Environment - Brasil

^[14] São Paulo University. Oceanographic Institute - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Ambiente & Sociedade; v. 24, 2021-04-12.

Abstract

Abstract Social participation enriches decision-making and is considered a civil right in many democratic countries, despite remaining a challenge. This paper presents evidence and discusses the evolution of social participation in the Araçá Bay (Southeastern Brazil), as a result of participatory action-research. Over three years, a process of social mobilization and participatory environmental assessment and planning engaged local stakeholders and resulted in a sustainable development plan. Enhanced social participation was evidenced by: (1) building trust among participants; (2) increasing knowledge of social-ecological features of Araçá Bay; (3) acknowledging different perspectives and interests about the bay; and (4) improving the understanding of management dynamics and institutions. The process led to the emergence of a local stewarded group that has the potential to foster the implementation of the sustainable development plan. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/21797-5 - Beach management trends in Brazil: targeting social-ecological resilience
• Grantee: Luciana Yokoyama Xavier
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/16004-8 - Building sustainability in marine-coastal ecosystems: an analysis of social-ecological resilience indicators and criteria of planning instruments in the Northern Coast of São Paulo state (Brazil)
• Grantee: Fernanda Terra Stori
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 11/50317-5 - Biodiversity and functioning of a subtropical coastal ecosystem: a contribution to integrated management
• Grantee: Antonia Cecília Zacagnini Amaral
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/02441-4 - Management of common resources applied on integrated management of the coastal zone
• Grantee: Claudia Regina dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral