Between rivers and streets: an experience report on waterscapes in Cuiabá-MT, Brazil

Abstract

The accelerated urbanization process in Brazil has generally been characterized by discrepancies between urban development and socio-environmental preservation. In this context, developmentalist policies have induced various changes in territories and their dynamics, as exemplified by the Central-West and the Amazon regions from the second half of the 20th century. In Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, modernization has often resulted in landscapes marked by environmental degradation and the disregard of preexisting socio-natural relationships. Aiming to deepen the debate on landscape and the tensions between urbanization and the environment, this article presents a classroom experience report from the Architecture and Urbanism program at the Federal University of Mato Grosso. The activity focused on the analysis and intervention of two streams in Cuiabá, involving a historical-documentary reading of urban morphology, as well as the characterization of landscape units along the bodies of water, complemented by field visits and interviews with the local population. The diagnoses revealed that residents' perceptions vary according to individual experiences, cultural practices, and exposure to unsanitary conditions, pollution, precarious housing, and associated risks. Based on these findings, intervention proposals—both design-based and planning-oriented—were developed, considering the landscape and its hydro-social relationships. The results highlighted the potential of this methodology to support decision-making in urban management, enhancing the dialogue between theory and practice in addressing socio-environmental issues.