Índice de Mobilidade Urbana Sustentável (IMUS) aplicado em cidades de pequeno porte: o caso de Iturama – MG

Abstract

Research objective: The general objective of this research is to analyze the urban mobility conditions of the city of Iturama - MG, using the Sustainable Urban Mobility Index (SUMI), adapted for application in small towns. Theoretical Framework: The study falls within the line of research aimed at analyzing public policies, with a focus on urban mobility, contributing to the planning and sustainable development of the city of Iturama. Methodology: In order to achieve the proposed objective, the SUMI tool adapted to the context of small cities was used, consisting of a hierarchical structure of 9 domains, 30 themes and 57 indicators. The domains represent the main axes of sustainable urban mobility, the themes are branches of each axis and, finally, the indicators are the evaluation tools used to measure the main aspects of each theme. Results: The application of the SUMI made it possible to measure 44 themes, 27 indicators and all 9 domains, resulting in a Global Index of Sustainable Urban Mobility (SUMIg) of 0.252 for Iturama. In addition to the SUMIg, the domains that had the greatest impact on the city's urban mobility were identified, both positively (Transport Infrastructure, Accessibility and Political Aspects) and negatively (Urban Transport System, Environmental Aspects and Social Aspects). The results indicate that, although the municipal administration has made major investments in the area, these efforts have mostly focused on improving travel by individual motorized transport, revealing that the city's scenario is still far from the ideal model of sustainable mobility. Originality/Relevance: Actions aimed at improving urban mobility in Iturama have been implemented without proper planning and are still based on an outdated model that prioritizes individual motorized transport. In this context, the research reinforces the importance of adopting more sustainable and integrated strategies for urban planning. Practical contributions: The study presents potential impacts in the societal area, by offering recommendations for directing public policies aimed at sustainable urban mobility, in order to contribute to improving the quality of life of the population of Iturama.