A report released by the collaborative research network MapBiomas indicates a troubling trend in Brazil's urban development, specifically in areas prone to erosion and landslides. From 1985 to 2024, urbanization in steep terrains—land with more than a 30% slope—has surged over threefold, increasing from 14,000 hectares to 43,400 hectares. Alarmingly, 93% of this expansion has occurred in the Atlantic Forest region, which is known for its biodiversity and ecological significance.

This increase in urbanization on steep slopes has drastically outpaced the overall growth of urban areas in Brazil, which has grown 2.5 times during the same period, now covering 4.5 million hectares or 0.5% of the national territory. The findings highlight a significant concern regarding urban planning and the prioritization of safety for communities living in vulnerable zones, signaling potential for increased climate-induced disasters in Brazil as urban populations expand.

Minas Gerais stands out as the Brazilian state with the largest area urbanized in steep terrains, with its figure tripling to nearly 14,500 hectares within the reporting period. Juiz de Fora, a city within this state, ranks as the third-largest Brazilian city in terms of urbanization on slopes exceeding 30%. These developments raise critical questions about infrastructure resilience and the need for effective regulatory measures to mitigate the risks associated with urbanization in high-risk areas.