Agenda de modernização do licenciamento edilício e urbanístico no Brasil: a quem interessa?: estudo do município de São Paulo

Abstract

Delays in building and urban planning licensing (LEU) have become a significant challenge, both for the real estate development sector and for the effectiveness of urban planning instruments. Several initiatives have been implemented at different governmental levels, aimed at modernizing the LEU framework in Brazil. This research seeks to identify such initiatives, acknowledging the existence of a national agenda for LEU modernization, and to analyze its evolution through a case study of the municipality of São Paulo. The methodology is mixed (qualitative and quantitative), combining bibliographic and documentary review with an analysis of licensing data from São Paulo City Hall between 1997 and 2024. The choice of São Paulo is justified by its institutional relevance and its central role in the country’s regulatory and economic context. The analysis revealed that the main driving force behind this agenda has been the real estate development sector, while urban planning professionals have played a marginal role in the process. It was also found that, although significant changes have been promoted, the modernization of licensing in São Paulo has not advanced along a steady trajectory of improvement, but has fluctuated according to the guidelines and priorities of each municipal administration. The research contributes to the enhancement of urban planning practices, aligning with the principles of smart and sustainable cities and with the guidelines of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.