Spontaneous and induced urban forms: comparing São Paulo, Jakarta, Hanoi and Belo Horizonte

Abstract

This paper gathers research, developed in 2012/2013, in which urban morphology was used as an investigating tool to study the relations between urbanization and development, producing a comparative study of spatial and economic development, planning processes and the resulting urban forms of four cities: São Paulo and Jakarta, and Hanoi and Belo Horizonte. Planning policies and urban forms were compared at different scales in these four cities, using the approach proposed by Lamas (1993). São Paulo and Jakarta were chosen due to their importance and economic relevance on their respective contexts, Latin America and South East Asia, offering the possibility of comparison aiming at finding relevant similarities. Hanoi and Belo Horizonte have similar positions regarding their contexts; both are administrative cities with similar characteristics in terms of demography, economic growth and rapid urbanization. Despite these similarities, the cities present distinct processes of growth and urbanization, as well as cultural aspects; both were highlighted in this comparison. This study investigates the patterns of urban form of these four cities, exploring their urban tissues and building types, aiming at a better understanding on how these cities have coped with economic processes and how they work today, opening the possibility of broader discussions on which lessons can be drawn both to these case studies and to cities in general.