(Un)sustainable development in Natal/RN: the case of the irregular occupation of the Cidade Nova dune

Abstract

The horizontal growth of cities can generate conflicts with urban planning regulations for areas intended for environmental protection, as phenomena such as gentrification and extreme poverty push low-income populations into environmentally protected areas. In Brazil, the legal system protects the environment to ensure the ecological balance necessary for a healthy quality of life for its inhabitants, while also fundamentally guaranteeing the social right to housing. The need to enforce these two constitutional rights can cause conflicts when we analyze specific cases. Thus, we analyzed the case of the occupation of the Dune of “Cidade Nova”, in the city of Natal, State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, a specific situation of irregular occupation of a protected area under the regime of Permanent Preservation Area, still pending resolution by the Judiciary. Thus, through bibliographic, documentary and qualitative analysis of the selected case, it was noted that the Judiciary has been handling the demand in an inadequate and slow manner, evidencing, after a long period of processing, a social, environmental and legal situation that has not yet been resolved.