Diverse communities collaboratively shaping a luminous cityscape, symbolizing empowerment and the right to the city.

Reclaiming Our Cities: How the 'Right to the City' Movement is Shaping Urban Futures

Samir D’Costa in Law & Justice June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore the legal and sociological perspectives on the 'right to the city' and how it's empowering communities to shape their urban environments."

The concept of the “right to the city” emerged from a desire to transform not just economic structures, but the very power dynamics shaping our urban environments. This idea, championed by Henri Lefebvre in the late 1960s, coincided with widespread student protests and a growing awareness of social inequalities. It wasn't just about class struggle, but about reclaiming the power to shape our surroundings.

In Brazil, the “right to the city” took on a unique character. During the military dictatorship, the concept was embraced by social movements, who used it to fight for basic rights like housing, transportation, and security while advocating for democratic participation. This evolved into a recognized principle within the Federal Constitution of 1988, specifically addressing urban policy.

Today, the “right to the city” is often interpreted as a broad collection of social rights aimed at improving the quality of life for urban residents. But, some experts warn that this approach can dilute the concept, turning it into an empty promise if it's not carefully defined and defended.

The Evolution of an Idea: From Utopia to Social Practice

Diverse communities collaboratively shaping a luminous cityscape, symbolizing empowerment and the right to the city.

The academic exploration of the “right to the city” can be traced through two distinct paths, according to Tavolari (2016). One path follows Lefebvre’s original vision, which emphasizes a radical, utopian transformation aimed at eradicating the “urban misery” produced by capitalist urbanization. The other, led by Manuel Castells, focuses on urban social practices geared towards achieving social rights and building citizenship.

Lefebvre argued that capitalism reduces urban spaces to mere commodities, prioritizing exchange value over use value. He envisioned a revolution that would replace this instrumental urban rationality with a political one, allowing citizens to participate fully in the creation and experience of urban life.

Key stages in Lefebvre's analysis of urban development:

Political City: Organized around influence over rural areas.
Commercial City: Centered on trade and the accumulation of wealth.
Industrial City: Driven by capitalist production and information control.
City in Crisis: Characterized by inadequate housing, disconnected suburbs, and environmental degradation.

Castells critiqued Lefebvre's focus on urban form as a philosophical category, arguing that it obscures the social contradictions that drive urban struggles. He maintained that political action, centered on the state, is essential for achieving urban development goals.

Reclaiming the Urban Narrative

By embracing a legal and sociological perspective, the 'right to the city' can become a powerful tool for social change. It enables legal systems to adapt and respond to the evolving needs and demands of urban populations. By acknowledging these rights, we can foster more inclusive and democratic urban environments where all voices are heard and valued.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/2317-6172201820, Alternate LINK

Title: O Direito À Cidade Sob Uma Perspectiva Jurídico-Sociológica

Subject: Law

Journal: Revista Direito GV

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Ana Maria Isar Dos Santos Gomes

Published: 2018-08-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the foundational idea behind the 'right to the city' movement, and how did it manifest in Brazil?

The 'right to the city' is rooted in a desire to reshape urban environments by challenging existing power structures, not just economic ones. Henri Lefebvre introduced this concept in the late 1960s, aiming to empower people to influence their surroundings beyond class struggles. In Brazil, social movements embraced it during the military dictatorship, advocating for fundamental rights such as housing and transportation, which later became part of the Federal Constitution of 1988.

How does Henri Lefebvre's concept of the 'right to the city' challenge capitalist approaches to urban spaces?

Lefebvre's view posits that capitalism reduces urban spaces to commodities, prioritizing exchange value. He envisioned a revolution leading to a political urban rationality, enabling citizens to actively participate in shaping urban life. This perspective contrasts with the purely economic drivers of urban development, advocating for a shift towards citizen-led urban planning and experience. This perspective does not cover implementation strategies, focusing more on the philosophical shift needed.

According to Tavolari, what are the two distinct paths in the academic exploration of the 'right to the city,' and how do they differ?

According to Tavolari (2016), one path is Lefebvre’s radical, utopian transformation to eradicate 'urban misery' caused by capitalist urbanization. The other path, led by Manuel Castells, focuses on urban social practices to achieve social rights and build citizenship. The difference lies in their approaches: Lefebvre emphasizes a complete overhaul of the urban system, while Castells focuses on practical actions and social rights within the existing framework.

What key stages in urban development did Lefebvre identify, and what characterizes each of these stages?

Lefebvre outlined key stages of urban development, including the Political City (organized around rural influence), the Commercial City (focused on trade and wealth), the Industrial City (driven by capitalist production), and the City in Crisis (marked by housing shortages and environmental issues). Each stage represents a shift in the dominant forces shaping urban life, culminating in the challenges of modern urban environments.

How can embracing a legal and sociological perspective for the 'right to the city' drive social change, and what outcomes can it foster?

By adopting both legal and sociological perspectives, the 'right to the city' can facilitate social change by enabling legal systems to adapt to urban populations' evolving needs. Recognizing these rights promotes inclusive and democratic urban environments. This means empowering marginalized communities, ensuring equitable access to resources, and fostering participatory governance structures, which helps build a more just and sustainable urban future.