UFMG Departamento de Geografia Karina Rousseng Dal Pont De

ABSTRACT
An environmental analysis, inserted to the urban discussions may convey a series of links
between urban and environmental subjects, mainly analyzing the perceptions and senses
related to the urban environmental conservation areas. The UFMG Ecological Station is an
urban environmental conservation area located in the campus of the Universidade Federal
de Minas Gerais. During the implementation process the area went through diverse uses,
since ‘bota-fora’ (throw it away) from the University itself until reach the present status of
one of the biggest areas of environmental conservation of Belo Horizonte/MG. The only
question is, up to what point the insertion of an urban conservation area inside an
undergraduate institution might assure its preservation? The aim of this research is to
carry out through environmental history an analysis in the functionality of the area and its
institutional relations in the implementation process (1979-2008). Two levels of
investigation are approached in here: semi-structured interviews with actor groups
following the tipping process of the area in distinct moments, and, research in the files of
the university and Belo Horizonte city hall. This study looked at information that contributes
to the understanding on the senses given to the use and forms of appropriation of natural
spaces within the urban set, and also aimed to contribute to the institutionalization of the
area.
Key-words: Ecological Station; urban environmental conservation; urban-environmental
matter.
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