Brazilian cities accelerate retrofit and downtown revitalization projects

Major Brazilian urban centres are adopting large‑scale retrofit programmes to modernise historic buildings and uplift property values. In Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, authorities promote retrofitting of older structures, preserving architectural memory while improving energy efficiency, safety and comfort. Data from Caixa shows more than 7,000 buildings in São Paulo have retrofit potential, with the sector expected to grow about 15 % annually and to raise the price per square metre by up to 30 %.

In Goiânia, the municipal government has launched the "Morar no Centro" initiative, dedicating R$ 24 million to re‑qualify the historic downtown. The plan aims to attract roughly 10 000 new residents by offering rental subsidies and tax incentives for occupants of long‑vacant properties, seeking to restore commercial activity and community life in the city’s historic core.