Legislation and management for risks reduction related to floods in São Paulo/SP, Brazil

Abstract

Flooding in urban areas causes problems related to traffic, damage in businesses and homes. Historically, although several environmental laws have restricted the use of river plains, many of these areas have been occupied and regularized by local governments. Inaccuracy and overlapping of laws also facilitated misinterpretations and violations. This article aims to analyze the risk management instruments provided for in Brazilian legislation and their application in areas frequently affected by floods. The case study was applied to the Ipiranga Stream Basin, in São Paulo/ SP, where occurred 82 flood events were observed over a 52-year period, predominantly between 2010 and 2017, with human, material and economic damage. The various structural measures employed so far have not been sufficient to solve the problems. Although some laws indicate readjustments of use in areas affected by floods, but these changes rarely occur. It is observed that over time, the legislation that involves the phenomenon of flooding presents a paradigm shift, where the initial focus on environmental protection of the areas of permanent preservation, migrates to disaster risk management.

Keywords:
Risk management; Floods; Environmental legislation