2014 Urban Affairs Association Conference

This study analyzes the effect of public private partnerships (PPP) for urban renovation and affordable housing on social and territorial outcomes of global city regions. Specifically, it looks at the challenges and opportunities related to the Casa Paulista PPP, an initiative by São Paulo state government which combines federal, state, municipal and private resources to foster affordable housing production and economic renovation in downtown São Paulo city. This study uses literature review, analysis of planning documents, newspaper publications, and interviews with state representatives and real estate developers, in order to identify challenges and opportunities related to Casa Paulista PPP. It finds out that the policy is innovative with regard to the use of new financial tools regulated by national and state level finance policy reforms, and for partnering with the private sector for delivery and management of affordable housing. However, the policy also repeats old models of housing production implemented in the country and associated with social exclusion. Specifically, Casa Paulista does not engage with local residents and the civil society as a whole at the early stages of the policy design process, it has a narrow focus on housing production, and offers no guidelines with regard to local economic and workforce development strategies. This study concludes that while Casa Paulista may succeed in attracting private investments to downtown São Paulo, it may fall short of its broader goals of social inclusion and downtown economic transformation.