Bacias hidrográficas e mobilizações populares: a articulação pela revitalização do riacho das Piabas-PB (2011-2017).

Abstract

This research belongs in the field of studies on grassroots environmental movements, especially when inserted in the context of environmental degradation related to urbanization. Its specific object is the the analysis of the history of an environmental movement present in the city of Campina Grande - PB, called Articulação Pela Revitalização do Riacho das Piabas (Arrpia). Preceding the history of the movement itself, an approach of certain concepts and other basic theoretical aspects for the research, historically contextualized in order to enrich the conception of the concluding analysis, is initiated. This approach has as its theoretical framework the perspective of environmental history and, in the first stage, discusses urbanization and environmental degradation. In a second moment, the issue of the historical development of modern environmentalist thinking is addressed, highlighting the emergence of social movements derived from this context. The conclusion of this approach leads, finally, to the analysis of the history of Arrpia itself. This analysis touches on events that precede the formal consolidation of the movement, however, a focus is laid on the chronological cut between the years of 2011, when Arrpia was created, and 2017. The spatial cut established is based on the Rosa Mística Community, where the movement has come and gone. The history of Arrpia was investigated through bibliographical research and procedures derived from action research, in which there is cooperative and participatory involvement between researcher and members representative of the object of study. The undertaking of this work was based on three aspects: the consideration that the constitution of memories and investigations concerning the relations between humanity and nature are of significant importance for the present societies; the perception that projects for the revitalization of water bodies require research with greater emphasis on the integration of social perspective; and the finding of a scientific gap regarding the characterization of grassroots environmental movements in Campina Grande. The objective of this research is, through an approach on urbanization, environmentalism and the trajectory of Arrpia, to evaluate the unfolding of its operation and, finally, to infer how - or if - its performance has been relevant.