Resettlement of populations at risk and social vulnerability: a look at Vila dos Pescadores in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

Abstract

Research Purpose: The goal of this research is to demonstrate the importance of planning human resettlement projects for populations in social vulnerability that live in irregular areas. Methodology: This work was divided into the stages of Theoretical Foundation, where the themes were addressed: informal human settlements and preservation areas, risk areas and irregular occupations in Porto Alegre, and presented the Vila dos Pescadores -object of study of this work; Case Studies, with analyzes of relocated populations; and Measures to be adopted to carry out the resettlements, with a hypothetical proposal for Vila dos Pescadores, finally, the final considerations were presented. Findings: It was possible to observe that the main consequences of the lack of planning in resettlement projects, especially regarding the concern for the resident population can cause serious problems for the affected community. Originality/Value: In this work, the Vila dos Pescadores neighbourhood, located in the city of Porto Alegre, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul -Brazil was selected as the object of study, a place identified by the authors as a potential area forstudying the resettlement of the resident population. The neighbourhood in question was chosen because, in addition to being located in an Environmental Preservation Area -classified as a risk area -, its location is targeted by public authorities and the private sector as it is very relevant to the urban development of the city because the relocation of its residents could bring some urban benefits, such as: improved road flow, with the duplication of an important connection roadbetween the south zone of the city and the city center; and by freeing this waterfront portion of the area in order to guarantee free access to the population in the waterfront strips, valuing and preserving open publicspaces, ensuring the maintenance and balance of ecosystems and consequently improving the quality of life of the population in general.