Arborização urbana e políticas ambientais: uma análise da evolução em São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract

The accelerated urbanization process on a global scale has intensified the degradation of natural ecosystems, exacerbating environmental and social imbalances and contributing to the occurrence of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, floods, and increased pollution levels. In this context, urban greening emerges as a critical infrastructure, given its ecological functions that contribute to mitigating such impacts. Despite a robust body of scientific literature and official documents attesting to the benefits of urban trees, Brazil still lacks a federal legal framework specific to urban forestry. As a result, municipal guidelines remain fragmented and poorly coordinated, hindering the establishment of consistent parameters for planning and management. This study seeks to address this gap by examining the evolution of environmental policies in São Bernardo do Campo (SBC), a municipality within the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, which connects the state capital to the Baixada Santista, an area of major industrial and logistical relevance. The research is grounded in a review of legal and policy instruments enacted between 2014 and 2024, complemented by focus group discussions and content analysis to assess residents' perceptions regarding tree cover in different neighborhoods of SBC. The findings highlight both institutional advancements in environmental restoration and persistent challenges related to urban pressure. An increase of 10.62 km² in primary vegetation was observed, alongside a reduction of 16.49 km² in land-use mosaics, suggesting efforts to recover degraded areas. However, a 5.99 km² expansion of anthropized areas points to continued urban densification. Residents’ perceptions reinforce these patterns, acknowledging the role of trees in improving thermal comfort, air quality, and urban aesthetics, while also identifying disparities in green space distribution and problems related to inadequate management practices. The study underscores the importance of integrated public policies - such as Bill No. 3113/2023, which proposes the establishment of a National Urban Forestry Policy - that consider the social and environmental specificities of each territory, promote equity in access to green infrastructure, and prioritize qualified vegetation management. The research provides both technical and social inputs to foster more resilient, balanced, and inclusive urban environments, positioning urban forestry as a strategic element of sustainable urban planning. Linked to the research line "Innovations and Practices Applied to Urban Planning," this dissertation aligns with the mission of the PPGCIS-UNINOVE by producing replicable diagnostics and proposing pathways for the enhancement of public policy, integrating legal-technical frameworks and community-based knowledge. With a central focus on sustainability, environmental justice, and governance innovation, its contribution is consolidated in the advancement of knowledge in the field of Urban and Regional Planning and Demography (PLURD).