Groundbreaking Planning Ruling Launches Joao Pessoa, Brazil onto World Stage

By Leslie Richards

Lengthy negotiations between the Paraba State Government and the MPF, Ministrio Pblico Federal, has resulted in agreement between the parties and permission for the construction of a major conference centre to be located in Cabo Branco, Joo Pessoa’s number one residential district and an ideal investment location.

The building has an estimated budget of $50 million and initial works are due to start in September according to Infrastructure Secretary, Francisco Sarmento. The Government of Paraba fulfilled all of the terms established in an Agreement with MPF at the beginning of August 2009.
The land at the centre of these negotiations has always been zoned for touristic and residential development, with proposals for at least six large resort hotel schemes including golf and Spa centres. The land has effectively been blocked from development for the last 20-years, but now with this agreement in place, land-owners are rushing for planning permissions.

The State and Federal authorities had, until now, been unable to reach agreement regarding the protection and replanting of native vegetation, safeguarding of the beaches and investment into regularizing the water supplies for the area. However, now agreement has been reached it is widely expected that planning permissions will be granted and development commenced rapidly.
This approval is expected to bring a boom in tourism to the area with the construction of many new hotels and resorts to accommodate the burgeoning number of visitors attending new cultural events and conferences. The knock-on effect will of course be a surge in real estate values, which is good news for the canny investors who already have Joao Pessoa on their radar.

Joo Pessoa is one of Brazil’s hidden gems. The capital of Paraba state, it offers a compelling alternative to some of the Brazil’s heavily developed high-rise beach resorts. Joo Pessoa is home to the eastern-most point of the Americas, Ponta do Seixas ” the gateway to Europe.
It is officially the world’s second-greenest city, full of squares, gardens and areas of preserved natural forest. It is also Brazils safest city, offering inhabitants and visitors the chance to explore without limits its mouthwatering restaurants, lively bars and extensive shopping areas.
The city has a very rich and varied cultural programme that is actively backed by the local council. The wide range of activities covers just about every area of the arts, from literary gatherings and art exhibitions to large-scale classical and popular music festivals.

Joo Pessoa, and the state of Paraba in general, is experiencing rapid growth and expansion. The domestic housing market is booming thanks to economic expansion and migration from the south, and international interest is hotting up. For investors, the area already offers excellent year-round rental prospects due to its 12-month season, and excellent resale opportunities thanks to the growing stream of international and domestic buyers. New hotels and resorts and the construction of a major conference centre will only increase Joao Pessoas investment potential.

Leslie Richards wrote this piece and is a land consultant to Brazil Land Invest. There is a huge interest in Brazil for affordable housing and we advise you to visit our site Brazil Land InvestBrazil Land Invest for more facts on this exciting area..