Ordenamento territorial e áreas protegidas: proposta para a Pedra do Pedrão, em Pedralva - MG

Abstract

Territorial planning constitutes a fundamental instrument for the sustainable management of areas endowed with environmental, cultural, and landscape relevance, especially when subjected to the growth of public use and tourism. In this context, the Pedra do Pedrão Landscape Complex, located in the municipality of Pedralva, Minas Gerais, stands out as a listed cultural heritage site and an important symbolic and regional tourist reference. However, despite institutional recognition, the area presents weaknesses related to the absence of specific guidelines for use and management, which may compromise both the conservation of the heritage and the sustainable use of its tourism potential. This study aims to propose a Territorial Planning Plan for Pedra do Pedrão, seeking to contribute to environmental conservation, the valorization of the cultural landscape, and the requalification of public use of the area. The research is based on a qualitative approach, grounded in bibliographic review and documentary analysis of legal and territorial planning instruments, as well as the characterization of the study area through secondary data and available territorial analyses. The study includes the identification of the site’s environmental and landscape characteristics, the analysis of current uses and existing pressures, and the evaluation of management and protection instruments. Based on these analyses, a territorial planning proposal was structured, including guidelines for conservation, public use, and participatory governance, in addition to the definition of protection zones and controlled-use areas aimed at reconciling environmental preservation, sustainable tourism, and local interests. The results indicate that the adoption of a territorial planning plan can contribute to the reduction of land-use conflicts, the strengthening of local governance, and the promotion of tourism practices compatible with the conservation of natural and cultural heritage. It is concluded that territorial planning constitutes a strategic tool to guide the sustainable use of Pedra do Pedrão, contributing to its preservation and to local development, while also providing technical support for future territorial planning and management actions in the municipality.