Nature-based solutions in urban periphery communities in Brazil

Abstract

This research aims to produce reflections on the potential of the concept of Nature-based Solutions - NbS to guide actions on income generation, improving human well-being and preserving nature in urban communities and favelas in Brazil. The data demonstrate that there are actions taken that are inspired by the environment in areas of concentrated poverty that can be understood as NbS. This discussion assumes scientific and social relevance, considering that urban communities and favelas in Brazil bring together a large population. This population lives in social and environmental vulnerability and seeks better living conditions. Actions preserving the environment in areas of concentrated poverty, understood as Nature-based Solutions (NbS), are an available strategy for improving human well-being. With the hypothesis that there are successful cases involving health and well-being, income generation from scenic beauty and nature-based teaching solutions in urban peripheries, but that there are processes that make them socially invisible, we investigated the application of NbS in urban communities (favelas) in Brazil and found several efforts demonstrating the viability of NbS to reduce social and environmental vulnerabilities and improve living conditions.