Urban voids: The non-use of municipal properties in Campina Grande and the non-fulfillment of the social function of the property

Abstract

The real estate that makes up the state's assets are instruments for the execution of public policies and should serve society. However, it is extremely common to find vacant lots, enclosed buildings or even public buildings that do not use the total of their respective areas. This characterizes a true violation of the constitutional principles of the social function of property and efficiency. As a consequence of this misappropriation of public goods, a common problem arises in large Brazilian cities: the “urban voids”. Thus, through a case study, this research proposes to investigate the disuse of municipal public properties and to map “urban voids” in the urban perimeter of the Municipality of Campina Grande, second largest municipality of the state of Paraíba, Brazil. As a result of this search a total of 19 vacant public properties were found. Most of these “urban voids” are located in peripheral neighborhoods, compromising the social function of interest to the needy population.