Política e resolução de conflitos urbanos: o caso do aterro sanitário de Belo Horizonte/ MG

Abstract

The sustainable management of cities is a new challenge for local governments. The uncontrolled growth of cities and metropolitan areas in all continents is an irreversible process contribuing to a complex reality that public authorities must face. Regarding this complexreality, the adequate management of sanitary urban waste is a priority in the governmental agenda. The disposal, treatment and final destination of solid waste is part of the environmental policies of modern cities. In Belo Horizonte, the Superintendency of Public Cleansing (SLU for short) is the agency responsible for the pertinent services. The municipalwaste collected is disposed of at the BR-040 sanitary landfill, which began its operation in 1975. The sanitary landfill is located in a highly urbanized area. In recent years the neighbors mobilized against its location. The ensuing conflict involved the SLU, the Ministério PúblicoEstadual (The Office of the State Attorney), the FEAM (Environmental State Agency) and the COPAM (The Council for Environmental Policy).Finding democratic solution for conflicts is a lesson to be learned both by public authorities and the governed. Conflicts concerning public equipment such as the sanitary landfill in Belo Horizonte highlight the need of cooperation between the neighborhoods and municipalmanagers, mainly in services that require inspection and monitoring routines. The challenge of reaching solutions combining sustainable development and fair and healthy urban life involve both government and the governed. Debates and negotiation should be inspired bycivic and republican ideals.