Laboratório de Mundo Real para segurança hídrica na bacia do rio Pitimbu: ciência participativa e governança adaptativa - 14ᵃ Bienal Internacional de Arquitetura de São Paulo

Researchers: Karinne Deusdará, Jonathan Mota, Coca and Vanessa, Joana Darc de Medeiros, Adelena Maia, Sandra Saad, Andreia Lema, Heber, Wagna Moura

Summary:

INTRODUCTION: Real-World Laboratories (RWLs) are experimental spaces in real territories, focused on the production of transdisciplinary knowledge and the development of sustainable solutions with active public participation. In them, the shared understanding of problems and the processes of scientific and social learning are as relevant as the practical results achieved (Kohler et al. 2021; Bernert et al. 2024). This approach recognizes that, beyond technical data and institutional capacity, it is essential that the communities involved collectively identify the structural causes of the challenges, favoring more equitable and feasible solutions (Parodi et al. 2023).

In this context, the LMR in the Pitimbu River basin, in the metropolitan region of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, was created to address water security challenges posed by urbanization, environmental degradation, and climate change. The basin suffers from disorderly land use, water pollution, and weak governance structures, with low social participation and limited action by the basin committee. These factors jeopardize the water supply of a significant portion of the population of Natal and Parnamirim (NATAL 2024).

The laboratory's main objective is to develop participatory management and governance strategies aimed at protecting water resources and enhancing ecosystem services. To this end, it seeks to: (1) assess the impacts of urbanization and climate change on the basin's water resources; (2) develop environmental education and social mobilization initiatives; (3) strengthen community participation in water governance bodies; and (4) propose a payment for environmental services (PES) program aimed at conserving the river's headwaters.

METHODOLOGY: The LMR adopts a transdisciplinary approach, combining technical and participatory methods. For goal 1, hydrological modeling with the SWAT model and instrumental monitoring are applied. Goal 2 activities include workshops, field classes, and educational materials. Goal 3 advances through discussion groups and coordination with the committee. The PSA proposal for goal 4, still under development, is based on socio-environmental assessments and dialogue with residents of the source.

PARTIAL RESULTS AND FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The partial results demonstrate that the LMR approach has contributed to integrating scientific data and local knowledge, promoting advances in both knowledge production and social engagement. Hydrological modeling activities, still underway, indicate critical areas for surface runoff and reinforce the importance of the basin's recharge zones. River level sensors have been installed, enabling continuous monitoring and reducing the historical data gap.

The educational activities revealed a low level of local identification with the Pitimbu River, but demonstrated a high potential for transformation through continued action. During the field trip, the inappropriate use of construction waste as an improvised means of containing stormwater erosion was observed. This practice, while demonstrating local effort, poses significant environmental risks by contributing to the silting and pollution of the watercourse.

The outreach to the source community, especially Quilombo dos Palmares II, demonstrated a strong willingness to embrace conservation practices, paving the way for the collective development of a PES program. These actions demonstrate that LMRs can drive fairer and more effective solutions to water management challenges, especially in vulnerable urban and peri-urban regions. The continuity and deepening of governance strategies, combined with institutional and financial support, will be essential to guarantee the progress already made and expand the positive impacts on the region's water security.

Free

Registration

Registrations must be made here.

Selection will be made in order of registration.

Registration will be open until the start of the activity, on site, as long as there are spaces available.

Participate in the program of debates, workshops and associated activities!

TODAY (10.10)

2:30 pm – table Risk-Free Periphery in the Context of Climate Change

4pm – table Knowing to Transform: Community Climate Risk Reduction and Adaptation Plans

6:30 pm – table Inclusive Adaptation: Nature-Based Solutions in the Peripheries

9am – Drawing Workshop: Oscar Niemeyer's Architecture in Ibirapuera Park and the Climate Challenge

IN THE NEXT DAYS (11 to 14.10)

ATTENTION the table Palmas: For 36 years, the ecological capital of Tocantins which would be held on 10/11 | 7pm was canceled.

11.10 and 12.10 | 9am – workshop Inventa(rio) Fronteiras: Playing for Multispecies Cities

11.10 | 10am – workshop Elémenterre teaching bag

11.10 | 11am – table Learning to inhabit the Anthropocene: the crisis of architecture

11.10 | 2pm – table Architecture for Learning and Civic Use

11.10 | 3pm – table Culture and Public Architecture

11.10 – 15h – workshop Elémenterre teaching bag

11.10 | 4pm – table Reconnecting with Nature & Circular Design

11.10 | 5pm – table Architecture of Belonging: Interpreting Heritage Through Place

12.10 | 10am – table Experience: Climate Refuges and Naturalized Public Spaces, with Eco-Neighborhood

12.10 | 10:30 am – table Childhoods and Climate: Climate Justice in Vulnerable Territories

12.10 | 10:30 am – Windsock Workshop with the Floating Collective

12.10 | 3pm – table Doing a lot with a little: architectures for a planet in transition with Esteban Benavides from Al Borde office

12.10 | 4:30 pm – table Earth – building a sustainable and democratic future

12.10 | 6pm – table Living With – French Pavilion at the Venice Biennale and AJAP – Albums of Young Architects and Landscape Architects

13.10 – activity Pantanal Action at IABsp

10/14 | 10am – table Urgent Panorama! Space as an act of permanence

14.10 | 6pm – Launch of the “Nature-Based Education” Guide

JOIN! IT'S ALL FREE!

And there's much more until October 19th!

NOTE OF CONDOLENCE

With deep sorrow, the Brazilian Institute of Architects – São Paulo Department (IABsp) mourns the passing of architect and landscape architect Kongjian Yu, a global leader in ecological urbanism, and the members of his team who accompanied him, tragically killed during the filming of a documentary. The institute is honored to have had him as a participant in the 14th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial, where his transformative vision strengthened the dialogue between global challenges and local realities. IABsp emphasizes that Yu's contribution, which transcends borders, will remain an inspiration for generations and expresses its condolences to China, to the families of all the deceased, to his friends, and to all those impacted by his genius and dedication. Read the full note here.

Real-World Laboratory for Water Security in the Pitimbu River Basin: Participatory Science and Adaptive Governance