Megaprojects - Socioeconomic and Environmental Dynamics in D. Pedro I-Tamoios Road Axis, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Aims: Megaprojects development has generated changes in the socioeconomic and environmental structure of several regions. This paper aims to analyse socioenvironmental changes in 10 municipalities located along the D. Pedro I - Tamoios road axis, São Paulo state, Brazil, chosen for their regional relevance, and transformations caused by the roads duplication. Study Design: Analysis on how megaprojects influence the urban structure, the environment and different social groups, focusing in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in different productive sectors (agricultural, services and industrial), in population growth and rural and urban scenarios. Place and Duration of Study: The study was realized in São Paulo State, Brazil, during 36 months, starting in July 2015 until July 2018, and the data used and analyzed to diverse indicators were from 1950 to 2014. Methodology: Sociodemographic data, the expansion of industry, services, tourism development and agricultural production of these municipalities were collected in government databases and through field surveys. They were analysed through integrated methodologies with qualitative and quantitative approaches, based on temporal variations for the studied municipalities and for the average of São Paulo State, Brazil, with focus on social and environmental changes that took place in this study area. Results: The results indicate that an intense process of industrialisation, tourism development, urban growth and population dynamics has accompanied the recent decade’s expansion of major roads in São Paulo State, Brazil, and that these processes contribute to changes that affect natural systems and may accelerate climate changes. Conclusion: It verified that this megaproject development had not considered the sustainability of regional natural resources, in a manner that promotes environmental and living quality to the population.