This book analyses the struggle for social justice in São Paulo, Brazil. It takes the wave of protests that began in the city in 2013 as a starting point, and grounds them in the history of social movement mobilisation in urban Brazil. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork with a federation of housing movements, this work demonstrates the ongoing relevance of the concept of the right to the city for social movements of the urban poor, and examines these movements' creative interpretation of national legislation to support their claims for housing and urban citizenship.

"Earle offers an innovative perspective on how the urban poor see themselves as citizens. This is one of the book's main strengths. ? The book poses the right questions and should therefore be read by anyone interested in the present transformations of citizenship." (Bianca Tavolari, Urban Studies, Vol. 56 (5), 2019)

 

"This book is an important addition to comparative urban studies in its explanation of how political mobilization occurred, was justified and materialized. It underlines the importance of politics in understanding the evolving definition of citizenship, participation and ultimately democracy itself. Lucy Earle has carefully and elegantly grounded her study in urban social theory and thus enriched the contribution of her work. It is an outstanding book and deserves attention from all those concerned about social justice and the city." (Michael Cohen, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Vol. 42 (4), July, 2018)