In Itaquera, São Paulo, a 45,000 square meter area of Atlantic forest, which was previously designated as an Environmental Protection Zone, has been reclassified following the city's zoning law revision. This change has led to the observed movement of heavy machinery and land removal in an area deemed to have significant vegetation, raising concerns from environmentalists and legal authorities alike. The zoning decision was made despite local government classifications that emphasize the area's ecological importance.

The São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office has contested the exclusion of this area from the Environmental Protection Zone, along with the approval of high-rise buildings in regions not in alignment with the revised zoning criteria. After filing a direct action of unconstitutionality, the Prosecutor's Office successfully suspended the issuance of construction permits, demolition orders, and vegetation suppression in affected regions, signaling a robust legal fight for environmental preservation amidst aggressive urban development.

This controversial decision has been condemned by the city government, the Municipal Chamber, and the real estate market, which argue that the halt on construction permits could significantly impact the sector's growth and investment opportunities. Although a request for reconsideration of the decision was recently denied by the state court, further deliberation on the issue is expected, as stakeholders grapple with the balance between urban development and environmental conservation in a rapidly growing metropolis like São Paulo.