Support for the “Encosta Verde” project in Morro da Boa Vista in Niterói, Brazil

As part of the learning process “Climate-proof and Resilient Urban Development in Latin America”, virtual secondments of experts took place on August 11 and 18, 2021 to support the municipality of Niterói in Brazil in the further development of its project “Encosta Verde – Strengthening the security situation through risk reduction of landslides and fires in the community Morro da Boa Vista”. 

The community Morro da Boa Vista is located in a hilly zone in the São Lourenço district in the north of Niterói, Brazil. Niterói is experiencing increased rainfall and droughts due to climate change. In addition, the informal settlements of the hilly zones are increasingly suffering landslides and wildfires. The latter are partly caused by the informal energy supply of the inhabitants themselves. The “Encosta Verde” project aims to improve the security situation of the community with the help of participatory solutions for climate adaptation measures, including reforestation and the installation of photovoltaic systems in the hill region. These measures will help prevent informal settlement in the hill region, reduce the risk of landslides and fires, and strengthen the community’s energy supply.

During the virtual events on August 11 and 18, experts from Marburg in Germany consulted with representatives of the Niterói city government on ways to involve affected citizens in the project.