The Curitiba city government has introduced a bill that would update the understanding of the use of the city's parks and environmental areas for various activities. The bill even provides for charging fees for holding events in these locations.
The text was filed with the City Council on February 12th and repeals two laws municipal, one from the year 2000 (9,804). Likewise, another from 2017 (15,047), which provide for the Municipal System of Conservation Units of Curitiba (SMUC). According to the city hall, the justification is “to present an updated version integrated with aspects of the Master Plan”.
Sustainable areas and conservation
The proposal could be considered by the Chamber's Legal Department (Projuris) as early as next week, before being sent to the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ). If accepted, it will be forwarded to the other committees. In practice, Mayor Rafael Greca (DEM) wants to classify conservation units into two distinct categories, in line with what is already proposed by federal law, but which was outdated in Curitiba. These would be areas of sustainable use and those that are conservation units.
According to the text, sustainable use areas are called Environmental Protection Areas (APAs), such as the Passaúna and Iguaçu APAs, which contain parks as well as commercial and residential areas. The law aims to harmonize nature conservation with the sustainable use of resources, reconciling the presence of people in these protected areas.
In this group, activities related to the collection and use of natural resources would be permitted, "provided they are carried out in a way that maintains renewable environmental resources and ecological processes."
The law delegates to the Municipal Department of the Environment (SMMA) control over the "social use" of conservation units, including artistic, cultural, leisure, health, sports, and environmental events, as well as non-profit activities and initiatives.
FMMA Coated
Public fees or prices would be established in specific legislation or regulations, reverted to the Municipal Environmental Fund (FMMA), for the use of spaces in conservation units, depending on the specifics of the event or activity and the area to be used.
A public price may also be set for access to municipal parks and specific conservation units, “with the aim of promoting the maintenance and conservation” of these areas.
The city government explains that potential fees should be charged for large events, especially those that require the organization to commit to maintaining the venues.
When this maintenance isn't performed properly, the municipality ends up being responsible for the work, which puts a strain on public coffers. The idea of charging for use would apply in these cases. According to the proposed text, any funds obtained would be used for "improvements, new equipment, and maintenance of the unit itself."