Housing monoculture: Private urbanizations and their impact on natural environments and relevant landscapes on the uruguaian coast

Abstract

The research aims to analyze the phenomenon of private urbanizations in Uruguay and its impact on natural environments and relevant ecosystems; with a focus on water resources associated with the oceanic coast territories. The deployment of private urbanizations on coastal territories and associated watercourses is analyzed from a comprehensive vision of the problem. Recognizing the exponential increase in the last years of private urban developments associated with the oceanic coast of Uruguay, we offered a methodology for the analysis of the affected territories (or potentially future-affected) by this kind of developments, analyzing potential impacts on natural resources, ecosystems and preexistences, through a vision by basins and with prospective scenarios of occupation and variability and climate change. Likewise, alternative mechanisms for control and management of private urbanizations are proposed from State agencies, articulating the participation of local actors; with a look at multiple scales, surpassing the case-by-case study. As a conclusion, we identify potentially affected territories by the increase of private urbanization development (projected as dispersed housing, short grass, artificial lagoons) and the replacement or removal of existing relevant ecosystems such as grasslands, wetlands and native forests. Specific environments are proposed where resilience strategies can be incorporated, with an Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) approach to mitigate impacts on watercourses and reduce flood risks on built environments.