Enviromental and social-economic impacts of community gardens under power transmission lines in Tatuquara neighborhood, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

Abstract

Due to the existence of idleness areas, target of illegal activities or dump for city waste, located under the power transmission lines (PTLs) in Tatuquara neighborhood, Curitiba, PR, Brazil, the Eletrosul Centrais Elétricas S. A. and the Prefeitura Municipal de Curitiba in 2003 established a partnership to implement a community gardens program, which attend low level income families as a way to increase their family wealth. The goal of this study is to evaluate below the gardeners’ perception the environmental, social and economic impacts after the community gardens creation in Tatuquara neighborhood, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. The data collection was carried on May/2008 on a basis bibliographic research, open interviews with the Technicians from Secretaria Municipal do Abastecimento from Prefeitura Municipal de Curitiba, “in loco” visiting in the community gardens and survey questionnaire applied to the members of the Tatuquara’s Community Gardens Association. According to the study, women (94%) are the most dedicated to the PTL’s community gardens activities and that overall community’s perception is positive, since the community gardens installation, especially about their health quality. Once there was a reduction of the vandalactions in the idle areas under the TL’s and a significant improvement in their food habit.