Governança urbana e participação pública

Abstract

This paper investigates possibilities to consolidate new forms of network oriented urban governance in Brazil. Starting with a theoretical reflection concerning the concept of urban governance, this article discusses recent innovative experiences in public participation in the cities of Santos, Porto Alegre and Curitiba. Emphasis is given to the possible contribution of these experiences to the consolidation of new modes of urban governance in line with the potentialities of emergent network society and able to deal with the growing tensions and contradictions that characterize contemporary cities. In spite of the identification of a common tendency of more extensive and interactive governance practices, the paper highlights differences with regard to the ideological motives that stimulated the expansion of public participation, the characteristic features of these interactive practices and, finally, the specific social actors sought to be strengthened by new political arrangements.