How can one regulate urban growth in Brazil? In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are the absolute minimum of human rights defined. This also includes a minimum in living qualities, although they differ a lot per country and per region. Logically, in a more developed country the standards are higher then a less developed country. But in any case, tools must be created to control and guarantee this quality. Meaning that a completely self regulating system is unsustainable, if there is no such thing as a common objective and a social involvement with the fellow members of society.
If we apply this thought to the current situation of most Brazilian cities, where the law of the jungle reigns (see post on urban jungle), it seems that some changes have to be made. Since right now it is a socially unfair system which does not protect the weak well enough.
It would be naive to think there are no good-willing people in governments and organizations trying to really change the situation to the better. To the contrary, most of the people do have the very best intentions. But somehow they do not succeed, somehow they do not have the right tools in hand. What seems to be missing is a strong, overall vision. A starting point where everyone can refer to and rely onto.
For this vision, or masterplan, to succeed and come true, it needs to be able to survive individual ideas of a single person. In Brazil majors are chosen every 4-5 years, and every new major wants to prove himself to the people, following his own agenda, many times undoing in a small time what his precedent took years to realize. Considering that a masterplan for a city takes decennia to be realized (if they could ever be regarded as finished) we see one of the sources of the problem. If the masterplan representing the overall vision wants to have any chance of success, it should remain untouched and respected by the passing individuals.
A good example of the successful application of a masterplan in Brazil is Curitiba. A large city in the south of Brazil, counting 2,5 million inhabitants. Thirty years ago a growth scenario was created for the city, supplying a set of rules regulating city growth and infrastructure rather then specifically defining spacial occupation. Nowadays, it is a metropolitan area with (in Brazilian terms) high spacial qualities and good living conditions. For this reason Curitiba serves as an ecological, sustainable example for city planners all over the world.
Patos de Minas; development of a medium size city in Brazil 