In a context of rapid urban expansion globally, urban planning emerges as a key element in reducing the vulnerability of cities to floods and inundations.
According to urban development specialist Shila Morais, the way cities grow today will have a direct impact on the safety and quality of life of populations in the future.
“Urban planning is the most powerful tool we have to transform vulnerability into opportunity,” she states, arguing that anticipating urban growth is essential to avoid risks and ensure more resilient cities.
She explains that accelerated urban expansion has been accompanied by dispersed growth, occupation of naturally flood-prone areas, and soil sealing, factors that increase the frequency and severity of floods. The situation is aggravated by insufficient or late-implemented drainage.
According to Morais, the difficulty of accessing formal land pushes many families into risk areas, where urbanization occurs before planning and infrastructure arrives only after the consolidation of settlements. “When planning does not keep pace with the growth of cities, the poorest populations end up being the most exposed to disasters,” she warns.
Despite the importance of drainage, the specialist believes that it, by itself, does not solve the problem. “Drainage is essential, but it alone is not the solution. An integrated approach is needed that includes territorial planning, adequate housing, and social inclusion,” she explains.
Among the solutions, the source highlights the need to strengthen institutional coordination and urban governance capacity, with greater decentralization and sustainable management of territories, especially in metropolitan regions. Integrated and intersectoral planning, including land use management, the integration of informal settlements, and community participation, is also pointed out as fundamental.
Morais also emphasizes the importance of access to infrastructural land, sectoral investments, and the construction of resilient public facilities. “If cities are planned in advance, it is possible to avoid the occupation of risk areas and protect natural water corridors,” she said.
In the context of climate change, the expert advocates mitigation and adaptation measures, as well as environmental protection, as pillars for safer cities. Advance planning, spatial inclusion, and reducing the exposure of vulnerable populations are seen as priorities.
For Shila Morais, building resilient cities depends on an integrated vision, where urban planning is a priority and where growth occurs in an organized, inclusive, and sustainable way. “If we continue reacting only after disasters, we will continue losing lives and resources. We need to plan ahead to protect people and create opportunities,” she concludes.
(By Renaldo Manhice)
