Neither dead nor alive: Participatory slum governance as a zombie program

This article focuses on PREZEIS, an internationally acclaimed participatory slum governance program in Recife, Brazil. PREZEIS was implemented in 1987 and emerged out of a strong popular movement that resisted forced evictions of squatter settlements under the military regime (1964-1985). To date, however, its main objectives-upgrading slums and regularizing land rights-have not been achieved, and its executive powers have been dismantled over the years. We argue that this institutionalization of a popular movement gave birth to a zombie program that lives off the past and refuses to die. We advance the zombie metaphor through the Lacanian notion of fetishistic disavowal, of knowing PREZEIS is dead but still believing it can be revived through ritualistic, fetishistic activities. We argue that the challenge is to accept its death, opening up the possibility for something truly new to arise. In the conclusion, we also explore how this factors into broader debates on urban post-politics.

Automated summary

This article discusses PREZEIS, a well-known participatory slum governance program in Recife, Brazil. Established in 1987, the program originated from a strong popular movement that resisted the forced evictions of squatter settlements during the military regime (1964-1985). However, the program has failed to achieve its main objectives of upgrading slums and regularizing land rights, and its executive powers have been gradually dismantled. The article argues that the institutionalization of the popular movement has resulted in a zombie program that refuses to die and continues to rely on past achievements. The challenge is to recognize its death and create space for something new to emerge. The article also examines the implications of this phenomenon for broader debates on urban post-politics.