Comprehensive city plan and strategic city planning: a theoretical conceptual introduction

Abstract

This paper considers comprehensive and strategic plans important in local public polices: the first - adopted due to a new federal law - the second - implemented because of a more methodological choice - are currently used all over Brazil, and both constitute what could be called a contemporary urban utopia for Brazilian cities. Using case studies, this article discusses how both instruments are implemented, their potential and their limitations, and how they could be integrated. The authors suggest two integration models and one strategic planning method that confirm the possibility of integration and the importance of community participation in the process. They conclude that both instruments are sometimes overrated and others practically ignored by Brazilian urban policies.