Novel evidences and perspectives on green infrastructure planning for cities: correlations between Brazil and Australia

Abstract

Studies and practices on Green Infrastructure represent a multidisciplinary research front that has been developed in different contexts, scales and countries, especially in the context of sustainability, human health and climate change. With contemporary approaches, it contributes with a range of benefits to society. Such benefits were enhanced in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. As Green Infrastructure's application depends on social realities and geographic, cultural, and political contexts, difficulties are present in its implementation in Brazil. The gaps include the incorporation of the concept into public policies, associated with the real involvement of different actors and the production processes of cities. Research developed in Australia has been presenting strategies in the articulation of urban planning and Green Infrastructure, related to the Sociotechnical Systems perspectives. This research project aims to advance in the theoretical and practical field on Green Infrastructure planning, having as analytic axes: urbanization processes; the articulation with urban policies and local governance, considering innovative approaches and correlated characteristics between Brazil and Australia. Two case studies were selected - one in Brazil (São Carlos, SP) and another in Australia (Sunshine Coast, Queensland). Such cities present a set of related demographics, morphological and spatial particularities, which can be described and analyzed, based on correlated categories and theoretical concepts. To achieve the objectives and based on the selected cases, a methodological structure is proposed, divided into three Research Axes: 1] overview of the urbanization process and spatial configurations; 2] analysis of local legislation and public policies and green infrastructure planning; 3] identification of governance arrangements and articulation of actors in green infrastructure planning. Methodological procedures involving Geographic Information Systems (GIS); Mapping Actors Networks (Multi-actor network) focused on Green Infrastructure Planning and Sociotechnical System Analysis will be carried out. The research results include: socio-spatial analyses of each municipality studied aimed at Green Infrastructure Planning; the indication of guidelines and proposals for the insertion of the Green Infrastructure concept in municipal legislation and public policies; and the identification of urban governance arrangements that promote better applications of the Green Infrastructure concept among the different actors. With the Research Scholarship Abroad, we expect the following benefits in the short term: development of a strategic partnership with the Laboratory of Bioclimatic and Sociotechnical Cities (BASC Lab) of the University of Sunshine Coast, in order to strengthen research interactions between researchers; collaboration on scientific papers publishing in high-impact journals and application of research results in society. As medium and long-term benefits, we forsee an enhancement of research interactions and stimulation of members of research groups and integration of teaching, research and extension activities. The study of the Australian experience can illuminate critical aspects in the unfolding of public policies in the national context. At the same time, the Brazilian experience can also shed light on Australian practices, based on work related to political, legislative and social action. The interactions, experiences and knowledge exchanges between the Research Centers can present socio-technical innovations for the implementation of Green Infrastructure in the studied cities and new references for other national and international contexts. (AU)