Landholding regularization in preservation areas is a topic of discussion. Among other parameters, they must improve urban-environmental conditions, contributing to sustainability. The challenge is to establish the methodology, criteria, and limits for the occupation, balancing impacts and benefits. The preservation of the gallery forests and their ecological corridors, the public access to beaches and rivers and the public use of these areas are some aspects that could promote more integrated development of Brazilian cities.

When I say development, I mean some European cities I visited. It is not only the economy that I name development, but it is also the balance between economy and the excellence of public spaces, the appreciation of landscapes, the elements that tell the history of the place and the connection of all this through urban planning, in order to build the city for the future.

Brazil is a privileged country within landscapes, nature, and popular culture; elements that are translated in our rich heritage – and that are generally disregarded of the concept of development and regional planning. What I am advocating has to do with valuing the potential of using the remaining spaces, balancing factors such as real estate development, ecological and landscape preservation and also aspects of the historical and cultural heritage of each place.

A good example of these concepts could be applied is in the region of the ‘Salto’ Plant, in Blumenau, as we can see in the photos below. The city can become a place for walking, contemplating the landscapes and learning with history through heritage, along with alternatives for economic development. There are possibilities in the ‘Statute of Cities’ (Brazilian Law), and other legal arrangements can be developed from the Reurb (Brazilian Law for landholding regularization), to transform real estate appreciation into fundings, in order to make public spaces connected to natural potentials.

Text and photos: Walter Weingaertner