Sustainable Scenarios to the São Paulo Macrometropolis

The São Paulo Macrometropolis (MMP, Macrometrópole Paulista) comprises three Metropolitan Regions of the State of São Paulo: the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (RMSP), the Metropolitan Region of Campinas (RMC) and the Metropolitan Region of Baixada Santista (RMBS). It is home to more than 30 million people and is one of the most critical areas in terms of demand and availability of water resources. The objective of this paper is to propose alternative scenarios aiming at an integrated environmental planning of the basins that make up the MMP, namely: Alto Tietê; Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí; Sorocaba, and Paraíba do Sul. The methodology used applied the Pressure-State-Response model proposed by the OECD (1993; 2003), based on the selection of indicators, considering their political relevance, utility to users, reliability, and measurability. In order to carry out the environmental diagnosis, the indicators concerning demand, availability, forested area, water quality and loss index during distribution were selected, allowing for the representation of the basins and subsidizing the elaboration of the scenarios. The scenarios elaborated (Trend, Sustainable Development and Conservation) simulated the evolution of the indicators in different situations, proposing prioritization measures for investments and management of water resources. Thus, it was possible to propose actions that seek to guarantee the sustainability of the basins that make up the MMP.

Keywords:
São Paulo macrometropolis; sustainability; environmental management