Adding cultural ecosystem services by urban river depollution program in São Paulo city

Abstract

River depollution represents an initiative for requalifying urban environment. Revitalized streams encompass sanitation actions and also expectations of adding value to quality of life. Urban management has the challenge of measuring the well-being provided by public policies. While cultural ecosystem services represent the benefits from natural or managed environments, this paper aims at analyzing whether these services are linked with non-tangible benefits perceived by population. With this purpose we selected a successful program in the São Paulo city. Cultural services related to personal interactions, leisure, contemplation and space for manifestations are the most perceived by local population. Whereas those services beyond the local and temporal environment as cultural diversity and religious, spiritual and educational values are the least perceived. We recommend that the evaluation of depollution programs can be based on cultural ecosystem approach as a way to strengthen cultural benefits for the population in this urban management agenda.