The State’s role in the production of the neoliberal city: a portrait of Palmas, state of Tocantins

Abstract

By viewing Palmas, the capital of Tocantins, as a neoliberal city, conceived and produced as an instrument to expand the frontiers of capitalist accumulation in the interior of Brazil, the article aims to discuss the role of private agents in urban space production, as partners or competitors, intermediated by the action of the State. Through historical documents and the analysis of plans, projects, and phenomena in progress, we present speeches and practices that illustrate State participation directly or indirectly in the process of selling the city as a commodity.

Palmas/Tocantins; neoliberal city; urban space production; city as commodity; public-private partnership