As Cidades Sustentáveis no Brasil e a Apreensão Internacional da Questão Urbana

Abstract

The United Nations has already confirmed that the world is urban: since 2006, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas. Thus, applying the concept of sustainable development to urban administration is a necessary challenge, especially because of the existing and increasing problems linked to urbanization. Since the seventies, the United Nations has promoted international discussions over urban matters, when the series of habitat conferences begun, and in the core of these discussions arose the concept of sustainable human settlements. Considering this, is it possible to think of urban sustainability as a possible achievement in this country? Are Brazilian laws adapted to this end? What are the legal instruments for achieving urban sustainability? These are some of the elements presented in this paper, approached from a panoramic view of urban sustainability, both international and Brazilian. Suggestions for a better affirmation of urban sustainable development are presented in end.