Evaluation of the Application of the Neighborhood Impact Study in Jundiaí-SP: Challenges and Potentialities for Urban Environmental Management
Authors: Abreu Emanoele Lima , Peres Renata Bovo , Casarin Ricardo de Carvalho 
Published: November 2024

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the application of the NIS in Jundiaí-SP, with the aim of assessing its effectiveness and identifying the challenges and potentialities in the city’s urban environmental management. The research seeks to understand how the NIS can be better utilized to balance urban development with environmental protection and social justice, especially in the context of medium-sized Brazilian cities.

Theoretical framework: The theoretical framework highlights the concept of Environmental Justice, which addresses the equity in the distribution of environmental benefits and impacts; the New Urban Agenda, which proposes sustainable and inclusive urbanization; and the principles of climate resilience, aiming at the cities' capacity to respond and adapt to climate changes. The study also explores the role of the City Statute and the use of the NIS as a tool for urban control and planning.

Method: The methodology adopted for this research is a qualitative approach. Documental analyses of Jundiaí's "NIS Process Guide" were conducted along with semi-structured interviews with representatives from the city’s environmental and urban sectors and members of the Municipal Environmental Defense Council (COMDEMA). Data collection included a review of local legislation and observation of the administrative procedures related to the NIS.

Results and discussion: The results revealed several weaknesses in the application of the NIS in Jundiaí, including the lack of specific local legislation and the failure to integrate principles of climate resilience and the New Urban Agenda. The research found that although the NIS promotes public participation and control over environmental areas such as the Serra do Japi APA, it faces conflicts with the real estate market and challenges in protecting protected areas. In the discussion, these results are contextualized based on the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications for urban management and the need to strengthen local policies. Discrepancies, such as resistance from the real estate market and the expansion of slum areas, are also considered.

Research implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of urban environmental management. These implications encompass the need for reviewing and strengthening local policies, the role of the NIS in promoting environmental justice, and the importance of integrating climate resilience and the New Urban Agenda principles into urban planning practices.

Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by offering a detailed analysis of the NIS’s application in a medium-sized Brazilian city, a context often less studied. The originality of the research lies in its critical and integrated approach to the challenges and potentialities of the NIS, providing new perspectives on its implementation and effectiveness. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by its ability to influence the formulation of more effective and equitable public policies in urban environmental management.