Zoneamento ambiental da área de expansão urbana da Caldas Novas GO: procedimentos e aplicações

Abstract

This study aimed at understanding the dynamics of the urban physical environment of Caldas Novas GO, and its relation to the use and occupation. In order to accomplish this, the attributes of the physical environment related to the bedrock and unconsolidated materials, the water table depth, the declivity, the average annual rain fall in the scale of 1:25.000 were categorized, following the concepts of the geological mapping concerned with the planning, protection and environmental recovery. It was used the level suggested by Zuquette (1987) who establishes four phases for the geological mapping. As a final product, it was elaborated a map of the environment zoning, which focused on the orientation of the use and occupation of the physical environment, demonstrating aptitudes, restrictions and conflicts of the use. It was also elaborated a map for orientation about the use and occupation with the object to be applied directly by public departments, by those responsible for planning and by professionals that deal with the physical environment. It was verified by means of this research that the use and occupation in Caldas Novas is realized in a disorganized manner, without being respectful to the limitations imposed by the local physical environment, especially the not very deep water table and the thin thickness of the unconsolidated material. In addition to that, there is also the fact that the local structural pattern related to the tectonic processes of the past is characterized of cracks and fissures. The process of use and occupation of the physical environment caused and is still causing several environmental impacts, among which: accelerated soil erosion, contamination of superficial and sub superficial waters, extinction of springs and destruction of vegetation. Such impacts cause degradation of life quality of the population besides the loss of boundaries of the government. Thus, this work intended to produce accessible information that can become tool s for the planning of the use and occupation of the physical environment joining economical interests, environmental preservation and especially the betterment of life quality of the local community.