Governance for urban land regularization in Western Maranhão, Brazil

Brazil's urban trends have posed major challenges to the development and implementation of socio-spatial policies, given the need to guarantee quality in the provision of public services and reduce social, spatial and economic inequalities. In this article, challenges, technical procedures and the performance of a land regularization program in municipalities located in the state of Maranhão are analyzed. The program integrates technical, legal, and social actions to address urban informality and ensure secure land tenure. Despite progress, challenges such as limited municipal capacity and persistent socio-spatial inequalities hinder broader implementation. The findings highlight the need for inclusive, adaptive policies to mitigate land insecurity, promote equity, and advance Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) in Brazil.