Cities in dispute and the challenges of Urban Land Regularization

Abstract

The production of the capitalist city – and, therefore, its disputes – goes through the contradiction between the social production of space, on the other hand, and its private appropriation, mediated by property, from which thousands of people are excluded. Given this situation, this article aims to reflect on the challenges of implementing the Urban Land Regularization Law-REURB (Law 13.465/2017). We will present the legal milestones and advances in legislation until the aforementioned law. There are still many obstacles for REURB to become effective in Brazilian cities, starting with the institutional capacity of municipalities and willingness to implement it. We point out the need for programs not to be treated in isolation, without concern for complementary policies essential to the quality of urban life: housing improvements, water, sewage, transportation, health, education, among others. Such measures are important to ensure, not only the question of ownership, but the right to the city in its fullness.