Financialization: concepts, experiences and relevance to the field of Brazilian urban planning

Abstract

This paper reviews the international and national literature on financialization and analyzes the relevance of the debate to the field of urban planning, prioritizing Brazilian issues. We recognize that the literature on financialization has made progress, up to the point that some authors argue that the concept has been hollowed out. However, we believe that there is substantial potential for exploring – conceptually, methodologically and empirically – on-going financialization processes in Brazil, as well as their political limits. We discuss the mechanisms of urban financialization in Brazil, which unfolds in the interconnection of large projects, in state-driven credit mechanisms, and in the transformation of the state and planning. We conclude with suggestions for a research agenda on financialization with relevance to the field of Brazilian urban planning.