Evaluation of Urban Environmental Quality (UEQ) Applied Before and After Land Regularization Process: A Case Study of Vila Terra Santa – Curitiba/PR

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate  Urban Environmental Quality - UEQ in a land going through a regularization process in irregular settlements located in a Permanent Preservation Area - APP. In order to check the changes in the regularization process, a case study was analyzed: the one of Vila Terra Santa in Curitiba / PR. Primary and secondary data were collected in two different periods of land regularization, the first set in the period between the years of 2000-2007, before the process, and the second one in the period between the years of 2008-2013, after the process. The methodology of  Urban Environmental Quality was adapted for this study and consisted of eight categories of analysis with 34 variables and 43 indicators, focused on social and environmental aspects and infrastructure. It was also developed an Urban Environmental Quality Index System - UEQI by category of analysis. For a better evaluation, the values assigned to each variable for each category and, finally, to the final UEQI, were indicated in a system of quality grades from A to E, with A being a extremely satisfactory quality level, and E a very unsatisfactory level, with other 3 classes in between. From the results we observed that there was an improvement in 6 categories of analysis after the regularization process, which were evidenced in 65% of the 34 variables evaluated by the comparison between the two periods.  The final UEQI pointed out an index of 40.15in the previous regularization period, which was framed in class D, therefore in an unsatisfactory quality level. In the second period, the rate was 72.98, classifying the environmental quality of Vila Terra Santa in B, which is very satisfactory. The results of the indices in UEQ demonstrated the feasibility of applying them as a support tool for managers in decision-making.