Multi-sectoral partnerships for low income land development in Brazil

This work looks into the potential use of various instruments which rely on a close interaction between different segments of society (the public, the private and the third sectors) for increasing low income urban land development in Brazil. It is based on the recognition that the Brazilian housing problem is serious, threatening the development and environment of urban centres in the country, being also intimately related to the difficult access to adequate land by a significant portion of the urban population. The central objective of this thesis is to analyse the possibility of using such instruments for increasing land access to low income groups in Brazil. The idea of exploring the theme of partnerships for urban land development as an alternative solution to low income groups has arisen from two main arguments: the recognition that neither sector alone has adequately managed to address the issue of housing for low income groups and, the urge for new roles to be performed by the public, the private and the third sectors. Based on the conclusions of the literature review and on the analysis of 4 Brazilian applications of partnership-based instruments, a framework to guide partnership arrangements is proposed, discussing the relevant elements to be addressed when working through partnerships. Finally, the conclusions point out the degree of viability and generalisation of partnership arrangements in the Brazilian context and the different aspects of the changes required for their success, while some recommendations are given (of both practical and theoretical nature).