Revitalização de brownfields : da aplicação do princípio da função socioambiental da propriedade ao gerenciamento de áreas contaminadas ou suspeitas de contaminação

Abstract

As a negative effect of the industrial development at any price, especially due to the historical process of closure of industries have emerged large urban areas abandoned, which are suspected or actually contaminated. These areas are called brownfields, and can be found in virtually all countries, industrialized or under intense process of industrialization in any of the Continents. It is necessary to study the current status of brownfields management, which have been being a mark of industrialized cities, and the instruments used to promote their revitalization or refunctioning, especially the legal mechanisms created for this purpose. The Metropolitan Region of São Paulo in Brazil is emblematic case both in finding and comfirming the formation of brownfields by relocation of industrial enterprises, as well the pioneer way in innovating and deploying tools for urban areas revitalization, combining political and legal initiatives. Also, the very recent CONAMA Resolution 420 of December 28th, 2009, appears as the first legislation on the issue from federal initiative in Brazil, and raises the hope that the problem is finally addressed adequately in the country, though still worthy of improvements and complementary measures.