Between policies and practices: popular territories facing the climate emergency

Maria Isabel Imbrunito and Patricia Rodrigues Samora

The session proposes to discuss the multiple forms of production and transformation of social housing in popular territories, with a focus on socio-environmental inequalities and the impacts of climate change. Studies will be brought together that analyze both the actions of the State — whose large-scale housing production has often generated unsustainable and vulnerable spaces — and the autonomous initiatives of the population. The proposal includes research on public policies, territorial conflicts, adaptation strategies and social participation, with special attention to the experiences of socially and politically marginalized groups, such as women, the elderly and racialized populations. By promoting the exchange of diverse perspectives, the session seeks to contribute to the critical debate on climate justice and the right to housing, emphasizing the strategic role that the housing fabric plays in the discussion by aggravating or mitigating the climate crisis.

Presentations:

Popular territories, administrative innovation and climate justice: lessons from Democratic and Popular City Halls in Brazilian urban planning
Pedro Freire de Oliveira Rossi

Carnival and the climate emergency: everything that glitters wants to circulate
Juliana Lisboa Santana

Microplanning as spatial critique: possibilities and limits in peripheral territories of São Paulo
Leonardo Pires Luiz and Mariana Wilderom

Socio-spatial justice in participatory urban planning: strategies and challenges in the Arquipélago Project (Porto Alegre/RS)
Amanda Kovalczuk, Julia Boff, Camila Mabel Kuhn and Raquel Hädrich Silva

Precarious housing and the precariousness of housing policy
Maria Isabel Imbrunito and Patricia Rodrigues Samora

Free

Registration

Registrations must be made here.

Selection will be made in order of registration.

Registration will be open until the start of the activity, on site, as long as there are spaces available.

We thank everyone who participated and visited the 14th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial, from September 18 to October 19, 2025

NOTE OF CONDOLENCE

With deep sorrow, the Brazilian Institute of Architects – São Paulo Department (IABsp) mourns the passing of architect and landscape architect Kongjian Yu, a global leader in ecological urbanism, and the members of his team who accompanied him, tragically killed during the filming of a documentary. The institute is honored to have had him as a participant in the 14th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial, where his transformative vision strengthened the dialogue between global challenges and local realities. IABsp emphasizes that Yu's contribution, which transcends borders, will remain an inspiration for generations and expresses its condolences to China, to the families of all the deceased, to his friends, and to all those impacted by his genius and dedication. Read the full note here.