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Abstract The article discusses conceptual and methodological issues related to environmental risks and health problems, in the context of environmental injustice and conflicts. In doing so, we use the conceptual frameworks of political ecology and what we call political epistemology. We propose a comprehensive vision of health that relates not only to illness and death, but also to life, nature, culture and fundamental human rights. We summarize this as health and dignity, echoing the voices of countless people who have been fighting for the right to life and the commons, and against the impacts of mining, agribusiness and the oil industry. Therefore our concept of health is intrinsically related to the capacity of affected communities and their democratic allies to face environmental conflicts (the exploitation of natural resources and the workforce with the systematic violation of rights related to work, land, environment and health). Mobilizations for environmental justice also struggle for the autonomy of communities, their cultures, and the right to maintain indigenous or peasant livelihoods. The way knowledge is produced plays a fundamental role in environmental justice mobilizations since issues of power are related to epistemological disputes and counter-hegemonic alternatives. Political epistemology is an alternative way of confronting crucial questions related to knowledge production, uncertainties and the manipulations of those who generate environmental injustices. Finally, we point to some strategies for strengthening the shared production of knowledge and the mobilization of communities that organize to confront environmental injustices. Key words: political epistemology, political ecology of health, health and dignity

The requalification of public buildings especially schools, represents an important task for the Italian Government not only for their educational function but also for the important social role they play. These schools were usually constructions built during the ‘60s or ‘70s with old technical characteristics and expensive maintenance costs which causes a serious waste of energy. Due to the large number of schools scattered nationwide and the limited space for new buildings, it is better to refurbish them using design choices that improve their architectural quality and structural and functional efficiency. This study focuses on the restoration and energy building improvement of a school-gym located in the seaside town of Pesaro, in the center of Italy. With careful design based on the analysis of the Mediterranean climate data of the site and the microclimate related to the precise position of the building, the design concept achieves high performance energy saving and lower production of CO2.

O artigo apresenta uma análise do papel dos entes federativos na Consti-tuição Federal de 1988, buscando explicitar as atribuições e competências do Município, ente federativo mais próximo do cidadão, e o novo modelo de gestão descentralizado e partici-pativo advindo com a Carta de 1988. São abordados os dispositivos legais positivados na Constituição Federal, na Constituição Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul, na Lei de Responsabilidade Fiscal e no Estatuto da Cidade com vistas a comprovar a inserção do princípio da participação no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro. Por fim, o artigo aborda um importante instrumento de participação popular na formulação das políticas públicas municipais: os Conselhos Municipais. Nesse sentido, a problemática do artigo reside no papel dos conselhos municipais na definição das políticas públicas municipais, analisando os motivos que justificam as dificuldades no reconhecimento do caráter deliberativo de suas decisões, já que a gestão democrática da cidade está garantida pela lei formalmente, mas é preciso efetivamente concretizá-la no Município.