Infraestrutura verde como instrumento estratégico de adaptação e aumento da resiliência urbana: estudo de caso em Belo Horizonte, MG

Abstract

Among several problems present in cities, the occurrence of extreme events resulting from climate change is a concern for the urban infrastructure itself and for the population of inhabitants. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the vulnerabilities involved, whether physical, environmental, climate, and outline actions aimed at increasing the capacity for urban resilience. Currently, there are a large number of nature-based strategies and solutions for urban planning aimed at increasing the resilience of cities. In addition to a wide variation in terminology and techniques linked to such strategies, there is no clarity as to their applicability, considering the geoclimatic diversity of the sites where cities develop, even more so when observing the great climatic diversity of Brazil. Among the strategies and solutions currently on the agenda, the concept of green infrastructure was highlighted on this research, to increase the understanding of its scope in the urban planning and the ways of its implementation on a municipal scale, mainly through urban afforestation strategies and interconnection of green areas. The definitions of green infrastructure were used from the existing bibliography, especially from Benedict and McMahon (2009). Thus, from more precise definitions of the concept, this research sought to develop modeling, applying multi-criteria analysis methods in Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify urbanized areas where the implementation of green infrastructure would result in the greatest positive impacts for the local climate and increasing urban resilience. The municipality of Belo Horizonte was taken as a case study. Georeferenced data on natural resources present in the urban fabric, mesoclimatic characteristics, building density and people were analyzed, in addition to the climate vulnerability present in the municipality. From the modeling, two products that complement each other were obtained. Product 1 indicates the most vulnerable areas of Belo Horizonte in ranking form and Product 2 spatializes the needs for action in each location. Thus, it was possible to identify suitable and relevant areas for the implementation of green infrastructure in Belo Horizonte, as well as to analyze and qualify the existing challenges. It was understood that the municipality in general has low resilience capacity, but with good opportunities to implement urban green infrastructure. The development of the methodology applied in this study is also understood as a result. Therefore, as there is a shortage of studies with practical recommendations to guide urban planners and decision makers, it is expected that this study can support new public policies in Belo Horizonte and other cities if this methodology is replicated in other municipalities.