This study analyzed and verified the importance of sustainability in three land settlements benefited by land reform program of the Federal and State Government in Caucaia county, State of Ceará. It is important to know that the funds allocated to the program did improve the well-being of the favored families. For that, two federal land settlements of "Angicos" and "Boqueirão dos Cunhas" and state land settlement of "Buque/Poço Verde" were selected. A questionnaire containing economic, social, environmental and social capital variables was prepared to measure the sustainability of those settlements. The results built up a sustainability index based on an average of social economic development index, environmental index and social capital index. The value of sustainability index suggested that the three land settlements have a medium development level.
sustainable development; rural land settlements; Ceará
