Planning for coastal cities

This research aims to understand the urban dynamics of Cumbuco Village, located on the Western Coast of Ceará, using a collaborative methodology for evaluating urban spaces based on tactical urbanism and Cities for People principles. Coastal cities in the state have been going through political, social, and ecological transformations due to the development of hotels attractive to international tourists and the rising popularity of water sports. These changes require management approaches integrated local dwellers’ needs. This research aimed to investigate how the urban space of Cumbuco Village aligns with the “Cities for People’ principles and develop tactical planning proposals to guide future developments. Methods such as observation diaries, conversations, mapping, photography, and walking while practicing active listening were employed at three workshops held at the Winds For Future festival to understand how residents experience the impacts of increased tourism. The findings underscore the potential of this proactive diagnostic model to foster open dialogue and participatory engagement, ultimately contributing to the creation of healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable cities. The study offers a replicable methodology aligned with theoretical literature on 4th Generation Knowledge Districts, tactical urbanism and participatory planning to deal with the understudied context of small coastal towns in Northeast Brazil.