City statute, more than ten years later

a reason for disbelief, or for optimism?

Abstract

Brazil's national urban policy law - the 2001 City Statute - has been widely regarded internationally as a groundbreaking effort to conceive a regulatory framework more conducive to providing adequate legal support to governmental and social attempts to promote urban reform. However, more than 10 years have passed since its approval, and there are significant debates about its efficacy. But, what exactly can be expected of the new urban law? What is required for it to be fully enforced, and socially effective? What are the nature, possibilities and constraints of such a progressive urban law vis-à-vis the broader sociopolitical process? This paper aims to discuss such questions through a critical assessment of the enforcement of Brazil's City Statute, also aiming to provide elements for the more general discussion on the growing, real as well as false, expectations existing around the newly approved urban laws in other countries governing land rights and management, territorial organization, urban planning, and social housing.