Between alleys and hope: An immersion in the resilience of Santa Luzia

¹ Laboratory of Applied Sustainability in Architectureand Urbanism – LaSUS, School of Architectureand Urbanism, University of Brasilia, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, Brazil
² Center for Architecture and Urbanism Studies - CEAU, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Porto University, 4150-564, Via Panorâmica S/N Porto, Portugal

Abstract

This study explores the community of Santa Luzia located in Brasilia, Brazil, as an emblematic example of the intersection between socio-environmental challenges and agroecological resilience. The community faces inadequate urban infrastructure, with unpav ed roads and a lack of basic sanitation, resulting in precarious housing vulnerable to environmental adversities. Despite these adverse conditions, the community is notable for its capacity to adapt and innovate in the face of resource scarcity and institutional neglect. The practice of agroecology emerges as a sustainable solution to combat food insecurity and promote biodiversity, potentially strengthening community autonomy and contributing to ecological balance. The environmental analysis revealed a complex interaction between urban challenges and sustainability, emphasizing the need for more effective urban planning. The study proposes specific interventions, including the development of an agroecological corridor to sustainably integrate residential zones with the surrounding environment. This planning aims not only to improve the quality of life for residents but also to strengthen the community’s environmental resilience, highlighting the critical importance of community participation and innovation towards a sustainable future.