Linking ecosystem services and human health in coastal urban planning by DPSIWR framework

Abstract

Studies have evaluated how the urban expansion process impacts ecosystem services and human well-being in coastal areas. Conceptual models have been proposed to analyze this cause-effect relationship, such as DPSWIR (Driving Force-Pressure-State-Impact-Well-being-Response). However, analysis of the effects on human well-being, including health, is explored to a limited extent in the model. This study proposes to adapt the DPSIWR model to better integrate the potential effects on human health and well-being in the analysis due to the loss of coastal ecosystem services caused by the urban expansion process. As a case study, the model is applied to the municipality of Armação dos Búzios, in the southeast of Brazil. From a temporal analysis in which urban expansion was measured in the period between 1976 and 2019, it was registered that the urban area in the municipality went from 1.9% of the territory in 1976 to 20.5% in 2019. Consequently, the ecosystems and their services have been severely affected, which can harm subsistence, security, social relations, and the health of the population. The main group of services impacted by urban expansion was the regulation and maintenance, especially the ones related to the regulation of water flow. These findings indicate an alert for decision makers, mainly regarding the risk of flood events and the emergence of parasitic infectious diseases. As a management response, it is important to consider the integration of environmental and health policies in coastal urban planning plans and strategies. For this, there is a need for better coordination between the public health, urban planning and environment sectors in the municipality. This study proposes a management tool that contributes to an integrated assessment between the aspects of planning, environmental conservation and effects on public health and social well-being, allowing a broader and holistic view of the reality of the territory, thus contributing to the establishment good governance practices.