The legalisation of favelas in Brazil - Problems and prospects

This paper examines some of the main experiences of the regularisation of f avelas undertaken in Brazil since the 1980s. Following a presentation of th e main legal concepts involved in regularisation programmes, it discusses s ome legal-political aspects of the process of regularisation, particularly the complex questions which have been posed regarding both the nature of pr ivate property rights as defined by civil legislation in Brazil and the rel ationship between land law, land tenure and land registration. As a conclus ion, it argues that, as they stand, the regularisation programmes are unlik ely to achieve their ultimate objective, that is the full integration of th e favela dwellers into the broader urban structure and society.