LAND MANAGEMENT AND WATER RESOURCES SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

This article proposes a review of issues related to the occupation of interesting environmental areas discussed preliminary during the International Seminar “Urban Areas Assessment and Social Housing”, promoted in 2000, in the city of Campinas, state of São Paulo, under the combined organization of Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas, Instituto Polis and Lincoln Institute, particularly in the subject of urbanization of the areas of environmental control, for those were stipulated procedures of restricted growing and stimulation of appropriates uses of land as the most corrects actions against degradation of the watersheds. Considering the present importance yet of these points, a new vision based on three ways to understand the role of the water in the urban areas is suggested: water inside the urban environment, water starting from the urban environment, and water for the urban environment. It is supposed as well that a participative and responsible assessment of the watersheds and the implementation of a urban policy based on restriction, stimulation and compensation can constitute the structure of a future sustainable reality for the protected watersheds areas.