Changing paradigm in the water planning by MCDA approach: evaluation of Anhumas watershed, Campinas [Sao Paulo], Brazil

Abstract

Water is an essential element for life. However, the industrial development and the urban growing have caused the concentration of considerable amounts of garbage causing the degradation of rivers and their springs. This predatory process of urbanization is even more concentrated in Latin America. Illegal occupations are consolidated in areas of environmental protection. Actions must be taken to become more efficient the programs of urbanization and the quality desired by the population, within recognized standards of sustainability. Should be integrated the processes of planning, deployment, occupation and conservation in the urbanization projects taking into consideration the conflicts and 

interests of the stakeholders, targeting the sustainability of watersheds. This paper presents the results of applying the multiple criteria decision aid (MCDA) in evaluating the current situation and future scenarios of the Anhumas watershed in Campinas, Sao Paulo. The proposed method takes into account the sustainability of the watershed not only in relation to economic and environmental, but also the social dimension. The results made it possible to measure the degree of sustainability of the watershed from the values of the actors. The sustainability indicators presented are unpublished on the use and occupation of land; and, also unpublished, the consideration of social sustainability indicators in engineering endeavors. The participating actors corroborate the MCDA process as robust and flexible approach, suggesting its application in other areas of engineering or other sectors of society in search of more legitimate and lasting solutions, in fact, sustainable.