This paper seeks to elucidate the interrelationship between global meat consumption and deforestation in the Amazon region. To this end, empirical research is conducted to investigate land use changes in Rondônia and the expansion of pasture areas and beef production. Brazil is one of the largest beef producers in the world, with products destined for local and global markets. Based on bibliographical research, the paper analyzes maps of land use change between 1985 and 2021, using Landsat satellite imagery and the MapBiomas methodology for Landsat mosaic and classification. The research shows that beef from Rondônia is primarily purchased and consumed in Brazil, but it is also bought and sold on the international market. Landsat imagery analysis shows the predominance of forest conversion to pasture in Rondônia. The results show that deforestation in the Amazon is directly linked to the growth of cattle ranching. Land use change from native forest to pasture for beef cattle production is a reality in the Brazilian Amazon, especially in Rondônia. It suggests the urgent need for more conscious consumption and production practices as well as ethical and sustainable eating habits.

This article presents new concepts for discussing urban social space, named “social landscape”, “peripheral inclusion” and “un-practice”. These concepts are based on the analysis of social practices in vulnerable neighborhoods with a high number of social housing blocks in South America. The aim of the article is to show that the complexity of social practices in vulnerable urban areas is not only the result of the urban environment, which combines social inequality, marginalization and insecurity, but also and above all of the management and maintenance of this inequality. The research method combines bibliographical research with the method of non-participant systematic observation, the latter analyzing everyday life in social housing areas of São Paulo-SP (Brazil) and Santiago (Chile). The discussion and results will lead the reader to understand not only the concepts, but also the idea that open spaces have an important role in social practices, especially public spaces. It seeks to demonstrate the importance of linking public spaces and housing in public policies for the creation of social housing, as opposed to housing policies that focus on the production of architecture disconnected from the urban and social reality.

This article discusses the importance of increasing the percentage of protected areas and improving the efficiency of law enforcement in the Amazon rainforest. The Amazon’s waters and forests are essential to the global ecosystem, and both global and local climate changes are already having a significant impact on the region, as exemplified in 2023 by reduced precipitation in the region and extremely low levels of rivers like the Rio Negro. Yet, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is increasing, especially in those areas not protected by legal environmental legislation. Therefore, expanding legal protection is crucial for both global climate adaptation and the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of water systems.

The extension project “Bodily practices in flamenco dance: the relational space of a sensible body” brings the community of Cachoeira do Sul, RS, bases of body awareness, movement, expression and interpretation through the learning and knowledge of flamenco culture and dance. Flamenco has been recognized by UNESCO since 2010 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, being an artistic expression resulting from the composition of the song, musical touch and body movement, being only possible through the understanding of the art as a set of these elements. This composition has as its main objective to narrate a story (present in the song) and to express the feelings that such story brings (for example, sadness, happiness, regret). The project has the participation of the academic community and the general community of Cachoeira do Sul alike, developing expression and body awareness, fighting against sedentary, bringing quality of life to participants, improving posture and self-esteem, proposing challenges and teamwork. The project’s target audience ranges from young people to adults of all genders, proposing interaction and learning between different audiences. Art belongs from everyone to everyone, and the spread of different cultures makes a very positive contribution to the citizen formation.

Este artigo apresenta reflexões sobre as práticas sociais nos espaços livres de conjuntos de habitação de interesse social no contexto latino-americano, resultantes de pesquisa doutoral sobre as realidades chilena e brasileira. A complexidade das práticas sociais em habitação de interesse social é fruto do ambiente urbano criado, derivado da desigualdade social e de cenários de inclusão periférica, assim como da administração e manutenção dessa desigualdade. O artigo demonstra que o modus operandi de construção de conjuntos habitacionais, sem atenção às práticas sociais e sem estimular os grupos sociais a serem atores em seus próprios contextos, é uma prática que precisa ser superada. Há a necessidade de se considerar a relação social criada e possibilitada pelos espaços livres, que precisam ser pensados para a prática social, e de se evitarem limitações das práticas sociais, que levam à (des)prática, conceito apresentado neste artigo. Busca-se demonstrar a importância de se considerarem as práticas sociais e o projeto dos espaços livres em políticas de habitação de interesse social. Reconhece-se que, embora estes não sejam suficientes para resolver as diversas questões surgidas em contextos de vulnerabilidade urbana e social, eles são chave para possibilitar maiores mudanças.