Elements for the elaboration of an environmental management agenda in the local hinterland of the port of Itaguai - RJ

Since approximately the year 2000 State of Rio de Janeiro is experiencing corporate investments which volume never had taken place before in its history. These investments are mainly associated to the oil & gas industry and to the steel industry, with an important participation of port and naval industry activities, as well as a dense pipeline network. The resulting facilities and their logistics drive the territorial dynamics of various regions within the state, especially of the coastal zone. The evaluations made on this respect focus more frequently the results that such investments are (or will be) generating concerning the "recovery of the economy of the State of Rio de Janeiro". However, the consequences of such agenda concerning issues such as territorial development have been pointed out as subjects deserving more attention. Some of these issues are closely related to the low response capacity demonstrated by the public authorities especially at the state and local levels - especially when confronted by scenarios influenced by decisions taken by a small number of large companies as it is the case of the area under influence of the Itaguai port. Thus, this article raises the possibility/convenience of an institutional space dedicated to negotiated public policies aiming the governance of such area enfasizing their social, environmental and spacial dimensions.