Master plans and democratic channels of popular participation: a study of 25 master plans of the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte

Abstract

The possibility of introducing new practices of planning and democratic management into the urban policies in Brazil has become more feasible, especially after the approval of the City Statute in 2001. The resumption of this discussion is important, in light of the socio-spatial inequalities and urban crisis that are present in the cities. This paper is based on an exploratory research into the laws of the Master Plans for 25 municipalities in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte. The analysis considered especially the system of intermediation of interests between civil society and the State, predicted and described in the City Statute. We sought to identify and understand the guidelines and tools for popular participation prescribed in the City Statute and manifested in the plans.