Background and objectives:

The Urban Environmental Strategy for Brazil is part of a regional cooperation strategy between UNEP and UN-HABITAT for the execution of urban environmental assessments, GEO Cities, to be followed up by the formulation of LA21 Actions Plans and proposals for response projects. The initial selection of three cities for project implementation in Brazil was later extended to four at the request of the national partner ministries.

The objective was to strengthen national and local capacity for improved urban environmental planning and management and to formulate a strategy for scaling up at the national level.

Activities:
The main activities included:

• Executing capacity-building activities on the formulation of LA21, as well as GEO City, participatory master plans (PDP) and environmental vulnerability assessments (AVA);
• Organizing capacity-building workshops and production of planning instruments;
• Organizing city consultations;
• Establishment of working groups;
• Formulating LA21 action plans and pilot projects;
• Organizing national workshop;
• Publication of materials.

Results:
The results achieved were:

• Approved GEO cities studies in Marabá, Piranhas, Ponta Porã and Beberibe.
• Approved AVA assessments for all cities by the Ministry of Environment.
• Provided Inputs for the elaboration of  new PDP in the 4 municipalities.
• Approved PDP by the Ministry of Cities for all cities.
• Developed guidelines for the application LA21 and GEO Cities.
• Formulated LA21 Action Plans and follow up project proposals in two cities.
• Drafted strategy for scaling up the urban environmental strategy at national level.