Architectural organizations propose new urban planning agendas in Portugal and Brazil

Architectural organizations in Portugal and Brazil have released strategic documents addressing urban development and territorial management.

In Portugal, the Ordem dos Arquitectos introduced the ‘Arquitetura Pública 2030’ agenda. The proposal highlights the need to rehabilitate existing building stock, noting that over 35% of buildings require some form of intervention. The agenda emphasizes climate resilience, energy efficiency, and the importance of rehabilitating rather than expanding urban areas to improve quality of life and territorial cohesion.

In Brazil, the Instituto de Arquitetos do Brasil do Distrito Federal (IAB-DF) issued an open letter aimed at 2026 political candidates. The document focuses on urban policy in the Federal District, addressing housing shortages, mobility, and territorial inequalities related to race, gender, and class. It advocates for public participation, the social function of land, and integrated urban infrastructure to combat displacement caused by real estate appreciation.