Intersetorial urban agendas based on four cities in São Paulo

Abstract

This article is designed to analyze the process of implementing and evaluating projects to improve quality of life, based on the view of Brazilian municipal managers who have sought local management alternatives. It was chosen to identify the perception of managers, representatives of local executive authorities, municipal secretaries and coordinators, all identified as key players in implementing quality of life improvement projects in four cities in the State of São Paulo/Brazil. Individual in-depth interviews were carried out using a semi-structured guide and comparative analysis. The analysis of the four projects aiming at improving quality of life in the city shows that the management decentralization processes, which are currently encouraged in Brazil, have contributed to define a more autonomous local policy and create new decision-making foro, incorporating social control practices and management democratization. However, there are many limitations regarding inclusion of assessment as a feedback to planning actions and participatory practice.