What ideas have lasted over time and are still relevant today…

• The intended separation of functions (residential/commercial) still exists until today, with the Superquadras and the Comércios Locais as the embodiment of this separation.


• Brasília is a city of symbol policy and a demonstration of power. The aspects of urbanity, sustainability, and the fact that many people live their daily lives there seem to be in the background.


• The city succeeded in creating infrastructure-rich and area-sized parks centrally for the unrestricted accessibility of the residents (e.g., Parque da Cidade).


• The Plano Piloto was designed to be car-friendly but nevertheless could not cope with the rising numbers of cars. Today the city recognises the need to improve the infrastructure for other means of transportation (e.g., bike-network).


• The construction of the capital succeeded in developing the Brazilian Midwest. Reaching one of its main goals.

What ideas did not assert themselves or which are the current struggles…

• The city failed to create urban spaces, resulting in residents creating urbanity in places not intended for it and appropriate the space according to their ideas (e.g., Galeria dos Estados).


• Open and leisure spaces are showplaces of social segregation.


• From the beginning and still today, the Distrito Federal struggles to achieve social mix within the different areas. Especially comparing Plano Piloto to the satellite cities.


• It is however important to highlight the difference between Águas Claras, with its high-rise buildings in which reside the middle class, and the other satellite cities like Ceilândia, where lower social classes live.


• The Plano Piloto aimed to fulfil all needs by designating certain commercial areas in short distances to the residents. The plan failed to consider individual preferences when it comes to consumption habits.


• Brasília was planned by prioritising the use of the personal car and neglected public transport and pedestrians, disadvantaging people who don’t have the means to buy a car.


• The attempt to generate a functioning metropolitan region has so far failed due to the lack of cooperation in regional policy. The deficits in cooperation lie in the fact that the Distrito Federal pursues its own political interests.

We need to emphasize that during its 62 years of existence, the Distrito Federal was not exempted from political and social developments. Therefore, different topics need a reflection including national, maybe international, processes and changes.