Cities and climate change: challenges to brazilian municipal master plans

Abstract

Considering that cities have their political relevance recognized in current global agreements, this article questions whether the master plans of Brazilian capitals contribute not only to promote urban development and planning, but also to overcome challenges related to climate change. We analyzed qualitatively the plans instituted after 2015 and checked if the legislation addresses climate change, containing, for example, references to mitigation and adaptation plans. Data from the Basic Municipal Information Survey were used, as well as data provided by IBGE and the websites of the capitals’ municipal governments. It is concluded that few plans provide guidelines for local climate issues. Of the analyzed cases, only one plan addresses climate change, which shows that this topic has been scarcely considered in municipal urban public policies.