Exploring the connection between spatial justice and land tenure security: insights from inclusive urban (re)development schemes in Recife, Brazil

The potential of spatial justice to promote land tenure security has not fully been ascertained in the existing literature. Yet, it is argued that spatial justice embeddedness in rules and processes of urban (re)development promotes integration of all urban dwellers in the urban fabric and enhances their security of tenure. This study builds upon this promise to ascertain how the pursuit of spatial justice alongside the urban space (re)development can result in the increased security of tenure for the poor and low-income urban dwellers. Through the meta-synthesis of studies on spatial justice and land tenure security, and the implementation of the inclusive urban (re)development schemes in Recife, Brazil, we derived four aspects of spatial justice: epistemological, ideological, axiological and material. The pursuit of these aspects in the management of Recife city has concomitantly advanced the perceived and de facto tenure security for the poor and low-income urban dwellers who live in the informal settlements (favelas). The axiological and material aspects are directly connected to tenure security which has been spurred by the emancipation movement claiming for changes in urban management. This emancipation movement corresponds to the ideological aspect of spatial justice which influenced the passage of new urban (re)development schemes that recognise the rights to land and housing and basic urban amenities for all categories of urban dwellers. The adoption of these schemes which recognise these rights, the participation of the poor and low-income groups in crafting and implementing the urban (re)development plans, and the integration of thefavelasin the city are the main patterns of spatial justice relating to the axiological and material aspects from which tenure security emerged. This study concludes that the pursuit of spatial justice encounters the exclusive urban (re)development rules and processes which threaten security of tenure emerging from conventional approaches embedded in social norms, political institutions, and land registration processes which are generally acclaimed to protect the individuals' property rights. This makes spatial justice a substantial driver of tenure security for all urban dwellers, especially the poor and low-income dwellers.

Automated summary

This study examines the relationship between spatial justice and land tenure security, and finds that pursuing spatial justice can enhance tenure security for all urban dwellers, especially the poor and low-income. By recognizing rights to land, housing, and basic urban amenities and involving marginalized groups in urban development planning, spatial justice can promote integration and improve perceived and de facto tenure security.