Environmental conflict analysis: the case of the rural community of Rio Maior, municipality of Urussanga, Santa Catarina State

Abstract

The conflict occurs in the rural community of Rio Maior, municipality of Urussanga, SC, and is related to the community mobilization against mining activities of basalt, diabase and asphalt mill conducted by Setep Construction Company, held in Criciúma, SC. The case was analyzed based on the hypothesis that the increasing of environmental conflicts is one of the determining factors for the strengthening of environmental actions and for the formation of local environmental governance structures and, consequently, for the institutionalization of the municipal environmental management. Therefore, after a theoretical review on the subject, it was identified the main players and conditionings that shaped the dispute. Finally, based on the conflict analysis, it was designed a conflict mapping and identified the main outcomes of the conflict that confirms the research hypothesis.