The Neighborhood Impact Study (NIS) in the southern and southeastern regions of Brazil: advances and challenges to environmental urban management

Abstract The Neighborhood Impact Study (NIS) is a planning and management instrument that acts preventively at the urban impacts analysis and management proposals. Gaps persist for its implementation. The purpose of the article was to present a methodological roadmap for improving NIS regulation. Using qualitative research, it involved bibliographic and documentary research and case studies. It was initially identified the panorama of NIS legislation. Subsequently, the roadmap was presented, including nine process components: proposal presentation; screening; scope; development of a study; technical analysis; public consultation; decision; monitoring and follow-up. This script was verified in fourteen municipalities from the southern and southeastern regions of Brazil. To overcome technical, political and administrative challenges NIS perspectives of improvement were indicated. These include the need for greater procedure guidance; the NIS articulation with town planning licensing processes; guidance of public authorities in the conduct of urban development; enlargement of democratic spaces; integration of actions by different governmental institutions; development of networks between universities, municipalities and other institutions aiming at an education, confrontation and renewal of urban and environmental management of the country.