An Overview of National Urban Laws in LATAM

An Overview of National Urban Laws in Latin America and the Caribbean - Case Studies from Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador

In too many countries, the historic transition to an increasingly urban economy has been characterised by insufficient planning, inappropriate policies and – most critically – very little engagement with the people most affected, the urban poor. 

This publication looks at the main elements that need to be considered when constructing a national legal framework from the standpoint of urban reform. It gives examples of how Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador have managed the process of developing national urban laws, including drafting the law, how it was conceived, and the implementation process.

For the Cities Alliance, urban know-how and innovation from the Latin America and Caribbean region is crucial to inform both its global and regional programmes and to address its core mission of promoting equitable cities.