QUILOMBO DO BOMBA NATURAL PARK REGIONAL AND LOCAL STRATEGIES FOR BAIXADA FLUMINENSE AND DUQUE DE CAXIAS/RJ- BRAZIL

The Baixada Fluminense region, in Rio de Janeiro State, has a chronical severe floods problem due to its geographical characteristics and predatory land occupation.
The floods cause significant damage to the population, who lose household appliances, and to the government, which invests in palliative solutions and gray infrastructure without solving the problem. Based on the demands of the population in Duque de Caxias city, the UFRJ developed a project for the São Bento Environmental Preservation Area (APA). In order to prevent the area from being filled, a solution of minimal intervention was designed for the “Campo do Bomba” and a system of polders to redirect floodwater to the APA.
The Quilombo do Bomba Natural Park is a local and regional-scale solution aimed at reducing flood risks in six cities in the Baixada Fluminense. In addition to addressing environmental concerns by preserving mangrove vegetation and fauna, it also provides urban infrastructure, mobility, income generation, tourism, and leisure opportunities for the region. The project brings benefits not only to the neighboring community, encompassing UN SDGs (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities and (13) Climate Action, but also preserves 3.34 mi llion square kilometers of remaining
Atlantic Forest, including two other SDGs: (14) Life Below Water and (15) Life on Land. In addition to providing public facilities, 17 kilometers of elevated cycle paths, and viewpoints overlooking Guanabara Bay, the solution includes accessible design for the visually impaired and wheel-chair users, as well as locally produced construction materials, increasing the sustainable impact of the intervention.