Creating Collaborative Environments for the Development of Slum Upgrading and Illegal Settlement Regularization Plans in Brazil: The Maria Tereza Neighborhood Case in Belo Horizonte

This article describes how slum upgrading comprehensive plans and urban regularization plans are two planning tools which have been used by Brazilian municipalities to promote integrated interventions in slums and illegal settlements. Aimed at urban-environmental improvements, as well as land regularization and socio-economic community development, these plans have been, however, criticized for being too technical, time-consuming, expensive and top-down oriented, lacking sufficient participation and a strategic approach to achieve community consensus on priorities, under severe budget restrictions to face complex problems and fast changing realities. This article discusses the results of a workshop held in Belo Horizonte, Brazil aimed at developing a methodology for the Maria Tereza neighborhood plan, using Geodesign framework and geovisualization strategies to create a collaborative environment and enhance stakeholders' participation. The decision model achieved proved to be a promising support tool for more effective and inclusive neighborhood rehabilitation and land regularization planning policies.