Characterization of Spatial Planning in Brazil: The Right to the City in Theory and Practice

Fábio Mariz Gonçalves
Docente da FAUUSP. Ex diretor do Departamento de Urbanismo na Secretaria Municipal de Desenvolvimento Urbano da Prefeitura de São Paulo (2014-2017). Lab Quapá – fabiomgoncalves@usp.br

Luciana Royer
Docente da FAUUSP. Participou da Secretaria Nacional de Programas Urbanos do Ministério das Cidades e trabalhou na Caixa Econômica Federal com experiências em política urbana e habitacional, planejamento e gestão de políticas públicas. LabHab FAUUSP – luroyer@usp.br

Roberto Rocco
Associate Professor of Spatial Planning and Strategy, Department of Urbanism, specialised in Governance of Urban Sustainability Transitions. TU DELFT – r.c.rocco@tudelft.nl

Texto enviado para a revista PLANNING PRACTICE & RESEARCH 2019, V. 34, N. 4, 419–437

This article characterizes spatial planning in Brazil from a normative point of view. Because of Brazil’s vast geography and uneven development, it is not possible to describe how spatial planning is carried out in all quarters of the country. We explore key aspects of spatial planning in the country using policy goals, the legal and administrative structures where planning operates and the attributes of governance in the Brazilian planning system. The interplay between formal and informal urban development is a crucial aspect in Brazilian planning. Despite huge steps towards citizen engagement and inclusion in planning processes, planning remains largely technocratic.