Ilha de Moçambique and its buffer zone – proposal for a landscape structure

Abstract

The high risk of natural disasters to which Ilha de Mocambique (IM) and its Buffer Zone (BZ) are naturally exposed and the demographic explosion it has suffered increased the loss of ecological wealth, biodiversity and the mischaracterization of the cultural identity it holds. Thus, there are required urgent measures for its values safeguard, preservation and valorization. The primary objective of this proposal is to improve the sustainability of IM and BZ enhancing its development trough landscape and urban planning. The proposal will target a multifunctional and sustainable landscape structure trough food production, protection of environment, resources, biodiversity and leisure promotion. This structure will articulate the IM open spaces with the ones of the BZ. Methodology will include: collecting information about the target area as a basis to all project decisions; work cartography production; a Productive Landscape Component Map; a Continuous Landscape Component Map; a Productive and Continuous Landscape Structure Plan. The expected results are: improvement of resources preservation, biodiversity and environmental quality; increasing of community gardens area; increasing of public open spaces; decreasing construction on ecological sensitive areas; recovering ecosystems and biodiversity; increasing awareness and cooperation of communities and regional authorities; increasing local Nature-Culture based tourism; increasing local economy.