Households and environment in the city of São Paulo; problems, perceptions and solutions

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a 1,000-house-hold survey in Sao Paulo City that examined environmental problems at the household and neighbourhood levels and th respondents' perceptions with regard to the nature and cause of these problems and the best means for their resolution. The sample was chosen to allow the findings to be representative of six socioeconomic strata (so that findings from high, middle and low-income households could be compared) and of different spatial locations so that findings from the central city, inner suburbs and the outer periphery of the city could be compared. The paper reveals in detail the environmental problems and household perceptions that vary most and least between strata and suggests new bases for action in which both government agencies and citizens share responsibility.