Elaborating the urban mobility plan in Natal/RN, Brazil

Abstract

Urban mobility is a social right, because it is considered a right that gives the way by which people can move around, therefore can access the city structures that materialize their necessities and responsibilities. The 1988 democratic Brazilian Constitution, establish the Brazilian Government as responsible for the urban development regulations. The promulgation of the law 12.587 of 2012, created the guidelines of the Urban Mobility National Policy, that likewise regulated the creation of the Urban Mobility Plan for the municipalities with more than 20.000 inhabitants (or those with specific requirement that also need a Master Plan). The construction of the plan allows each city to have an integrated plan that fulfils its unique needs. Nonetheless, the plan appliance has been difficult for the cities. With the aim to study a case of how this is happening, the city of Natal – Brazil, was chosen to present some difficulties found by the local public power in execute the plan, and worries related with the neglect of that. It was used a qualitative and explanatory approach. It was first previewed that the plan elaboration would endure 10 months, however the process is now in its third year, with no finalization prediction.