Sustainable urban-uural relations

The replicability ´pontential of São Paulo's "Ligue os Pontos" Project

Abstract

The intensification of climate change and socio-environmental inequalities, especially in vulnerable urban contexts, highlights the urgency for new planning and governance strategies aimed at building sustainable communities. The circular economy emerges as an alternative to the linear development model, promoting resource regeneration and the strengthening of local production chains. In this context, the “Ligue os Pontos” project, developed by the São Paulo City Hall, stands out for applying circular principles to food system management, reinforcing peri-urban family farming through the articulation of public policies, technological innovation, and territorial valorization. Structured around three core pillars, Strengthening Agriculture, Value Chain, and Data and Evidence, the project fosters sustainable practices, shortens supply chains, and promotes data-driven decision-making. Based on its technical documentation, this research analyzes the replicability potential of this initiative in other urban contexts, highlighting governance mechanisms, stakeholder coordination, and the use of data as tools for rural–urban integration, local production enhancement, and environmental preservation. The study aims to contribute to the expansion of integrated public policies in cities, guided by sustainable practices and focused on urban regeneration, food security, and social inclusion.