Informal appropriation of planned infrastructure: strategies to address urban inequality

This research analyzes the relationship between planned infrastructures and informal appro­priations in Rio de Janeiro. Using a theoretical framework that integrates critical urbanism, infrastructure planning, and the concept of informality as a driver of urban innovation, terri­torial mapping was conducted in the North and West zones of the city, known as the Carioca railway suburb. This was complemented by case studies combining direct observation and pho­tographic documentation. The findings reveal that informal practices not only address deficits in provision but also create local centralities, integrate social and economic functions, and demonstrate the potential to transform infrastructure into urban architecture. This dynamic underscores the need to rethink urban projects by incorporating open-design strategies that promote resilience, inclusion, and hybrid functionality, thereby helping to reduce socio-spatial inequality and enabling planning that is more attuned to the specific context.