Geodesign Experiments in Areas of Social Vulnerability in the Iron Quadrangle, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Vanessa Tenuta Freitas,Ana Clara Mourão Moura,Camila Marques Zyngier,Ítalo Sousa Sena

doi:10.3390/land10090958

Abstract

This paper presents and discusses the use of methodologies for shared and participatory planning through Geodesign, in areas of irregular occupation and social vulnerability in the urban areas of the Iron Quadrangle, Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is illustrated by the development of four case studies with varying degrees of complexity, participation, and impact as a support for opinion building or decision making. The work encompasses different applications of digital support platforms, from web-based to off-line, as well as their methodological variations, adopted according to the goals of each case study. They vary according to space, the profile of the participants (ages), technological platform, methodological steps, but they all share support for opinion making. We conclude by suggesting optimal methodological choices for different contexts of social vulnerability, regarding the evolution of urban planning processes. We argue in favor of Geodesign as a framework for the planning of irregular housing occupations, as it is flexible enough to deal with different scenarios.

Highlights

There are many challenges to reduce the distance between what is proposed, or even demanded by law, and what is done in terms of urban planning in Brazil
As we analyzed the distribution of irregular housing occupations and slums in the Iron Quadrangle region, it was notable that the vast majority is in Belo Horizonte, followed by four other cities
Belo Horizonte is, in effect, responsible for the emergence of these types of habitations, but it is true that in many of these cities such occupations are not even identified due to the lack of norms or programs focused on regularizing land ownership, or assisting their residents, who are subject to profound social vulnerabilities

Summary

Introduction

There are many challenges to reduce the distance between what is proposed, or even demanded by law, and what is done in terms of urban planning in Brazil. Reasons range from knowledge limitations, attachment to pre-established processes or the rigidness of public institutions These issues result in a lack of initiative when it comes to providing vulnerable areas with a minimum access to public services, not to mention the physical and psychological security that comes from having a stable, permanent habitation. A Rational-Comprehensive process involves a stage of wide and comprehensive characterization and analysis, followed by plans created by technical personnel, even if some degree of citizen hearing is involved. In our understanding, this is the predominant form of planning in slums and irregular housing occupations. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations

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