A discussion on commodity, value and land in Flávio Villaça's theory

• Grant number: 18/11270-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2018
• End date: October 09, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning - Fundamentals of Architecture and Urbanism
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Cesar Xavier Pereira
• Grantee: Júlio de Campos Andrade Lamparelli
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo (FAU). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This scientific initiation project aims at analyzing the use of the terms Commodity, Value and Land as far as the theory of "Land Location" by Flávio Villaça is concerned. We start from the hypothesis that the terms aforementioned constitute the three-fold basis of this theorization. Taking this goal into account, we consider the task entails a bibliographic analysis which seeks to compare the texts encompassed in Villaça theory and the classical work of critique of political economy - The Capital, by Karl Marx. Such analysis is called for by the very definition of the three-fold basis itself - Commodity, Value and Land, in what these terms present as most accurate and fit, conceptually speaking. We may then envisage this scientific initiation project in two movements which are mutually inextricable: 1. The way Commodity, Value and Land connect with each other within Villaça theory and; 2. The relation of this connection to its theoretical source - Marx´s classical work. This investigation seeks to yield a scientific article which shall be able to reproduce the main concern of this Project- that is, to be capable therefore, of examining the scientific accuracy of a theory, which is today, a mandatory topic for any urbanist devoted to the problem of contemporary cities.