Informality as Strategy by Bart Aptroot (17 Apr 2009)

This document discusses informality as a strategy for urban design in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It describes Sao Paulo as heterogeneous with three coexisting cities - a future city that ended in the 1970s, an informal present city, and a formal city building the past. Informality tends to cluster under certain conditions like flexibility in building typology and zoning laws, history, and lack of infrastructure. The document outlines two strategic approaches for architects - using micro-interventions to create semi-public spaces and initiating development plans with landowners focused on high investment. Informal clustering can then occur as neighboring plots link to new spaces and other landowners see opportunities.