Areas of environmental protection as astrategy for regional development: theoretical and methodological reflections from the case of Ipuaçu-SC

Abstract

The Environmental Protection Areas (APAs) were created to protect the environment of Areas of Permanent Protection, when the expropriation of land or the transfer of residents were unfeasible. The deployment experience of APAs, however, has been disappointing. Based on the analysis of a concrete situation of trying to implement a APA in the city of Ipuaçu this article aims to conduct a theoretical and methodological reflection that can contribute to the formulation of management plans for Areas of Environmental Protection. After conducting a review of the literature on Complexity Theory and Critical Realism, demonstrating its impact on the concept and and the promotion of sustainable development, the article discuss the elaboration of a proposal for an APA in the city of Ipuaçu and the reasons for its rejection by the local population. From the comparison between the literature review and the analysis of the situation of the municipality are formulated some methodological principles, that consider the sustainable development as an evolutionary and open process, can promote significant contributions to overcome difficulties in the implementation of APAs.