Greening in schoolyards and surrounding areas: environmental inequality between central and peripheral zones in Distrito Federal (DF)

Resumo

This article analyzes environmental inequality between public schools in Plano Piloto and Samambaia, two administrative regions of the Federal District, focusing on the presence of trees in schoolyards and their surroundings. The study aims to understand how the unequal distribution of green areas influences school environments, student well-being, and academic performance. A qualitative methodology was adopted, based on documentary and bibliographic analysis, complemented by satellite image observation using Google Earth Pro. Official data from the Basic Education Development Index (Ideb) were also used to correlate green infrastructure with school performance. The results show that schools in Plano Piloto benefit from more extensive vegetation cover and a greater presence of trees, while schools in Samambaia are characterized by sparse vegetation, predominantly grasses, and a lack of shaded areas. These environmental differences directly impact thermal comfort, outdoor usability, and the overall quality of school spaces. The findings indicate that such disparities are closely linked to historical patterns of socio-spatial segregation and are reflected in educational indicators. The study concludes that public policies focused on equitable school greening are essential to address territorial exclusion and ensure the right to healthy and inclusive educational environments across all regions of Federal District.