Our History

With more than 34 years of history, Diagonal is a socio-environmental consultancy, a pioneer in Social Management, whose principle is to help promote social transformation, favoring sustainable development and the establishment of a more human, fair and lasting relationship between people and their territories.

We support companies, organizations and governments to minimize negative impacts and maximize positive impacts on vulnerable communities. In these three decades of operation, we have helped to positively impact the lives of more than 5 million people, alongside around 200 clients, in 22 countries, 24 states and more than a thousand Brazilian municipalities.

Co-president Kátia Mello of Diagonal working on the Urbanization Project of favela Tamarutaca.

1990

Establishment of Diagonal in Recife - PE

Diagonal was founded in 1990, in Recife-PE, and in its initial project, it was responsible for the first urban adverse possession ruling in Jaboatão dos Guararapes.

Favela Tamarutaca, in Santo André, before the interventions.

1992

Expansion throughout the state of São Paulo

Diagonal began to carry out complete slum urbanization projects (engineering, land regularization, architecture, and social management) in municipalities such as Santo André, Santos, and São Paulo. Thus, it grew on a large scale, focusing on Technical Social Work, and its projects became a benchmark for the creation of government programs, such as Habitar Brasil.

Diagonal's work in Mozambique.

1997

International Consultancies

Diagonal is hired by International Banks (World Bank and IDB) and by UN-Habitat to transfer its social urbanism methodology to various countries with similar problems.

Terra Project, for integrated urbanization and regularization of areas, in Vitória – ES.

1999

Expansion throughout Brazil

Begins to expand to Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, and Roraima, carrying out urbanization projects and urban and social development of cities. At this time, Diagonal's working methodology gains strength and recognition in the sector.

Diagonal's work for Vale, in Serra Pelada – PA.

2000

ISO 9001 Certification and entry into the private sector

Diagonal becomes the first company in its segment to be certified with ISO 9001 and also enters the private sector, managing socioenvironmental impacts in the mining, metallurgy, petrochemical, and civil construction sectors.

Social work at the branch in Mozambique.

2005

Expansion in the international market and foundation of the branch in Mozambique

Progress in internationalization, with Diagonal establishing itself in Mozambique. This milestone represents the strengthening of its role in international consultancies, which had already started in 1997.

CDHU Enterprise Regularization Project

2008

Scaling up in Land Regularization

The regularization efforts of enterprises and irregular housing begin to scale up, operating in 187 municipalities in the state of São Paulo, through projects such as CDHU Regularization of Enterprises, the "Cidade Legal" Program of the São Paulo Government, and the Regularization Program of the Municipality of São Bernardo do Campo, still in effect today.

Sanitation work carried out by Condominium.

2012

Associated Companies

In 2012, Diagonal expanded its operations with the acquisition of Condominium, a company founded in 1993 based in Recife, which developed the condominium sanitation method, aiming for the universalization of water supply and sewage systems.

Sanitation work carried out by Condominium.

2017

SmartSíndico Foundation

In 2017, Diagonal partnered with SmartSíndico, a social impact business aimed at social interest condominiums that can't afford conventional managers. Recognized by Pitch Gov SP 2.0 and BrazilLAB with the GovTech Seal, the initiative was highlighted as a housing solution by the São Paulo State Government.

Sistema B: a global movement of companies seeking to combine profit with socioenvironmental development.

2019

Public-Private Partnership with SABESP and B Certification

In 2019, we took part in the DGFD consortium with SABESP in the sanitation project to clean up the Pinheiros River basin and its tributaries. That same year, Diagonal achieved B Certification, reaffirming our commitment to being a better company FOR the world.

Acceleration of the digital transformation process.

2020

Digital Transformation

The year 2020 brought many transformations for Diagonal, with several innovative digitization initiatives and improvements in internal and external processes. Business models were created, aiming to disrupt the market in which we operate.

Tomás Alvim, Jorge Melguizo and Kátia Mello, at the 1st Brazilian Meeting of Social Urbanism

2022

Establishment of a partnership with Insper (a higher education and research institution)

In 2022, Diagonal teamed up with Insper to join forces in the dissemination of Social Urbanism. The following year, the Social Urbanism Guide was launched in partnership with Insper's Arq.Futuro Laboratory and we participated in the development of postgraduate courses, focusing on innovation and overcoming major urban challenges.

Social assistance at Vila Reencontro Pari.

2023

Project with the Secretariat of Social Assistance and Development of São Paulo City Hall

In 2023, Diagonal started Auxílio Reencontro, a benefit from São Paulo City Hall that supports families and individuals assisted by SMADS to integrate socially into housing for up to two years, with social monitoring. Inspired by the Housing First methodology, the project aims to transform the reality of the city's homeless population.

1990

Establishment of Diagonal in Recife - PE

Diagonal was founded in 1990, in Recife-PE, and in its initial project, it was responsible for the first urban adverse possession ruling in Jaboatão dos Guararapes.

Co-president Kátia Mello of Diagonal working on the Urbanization Project of favela Tamarutaca.

1992

Expansion throughout the state of São Paulo

Diagonal began to carry out complete slum urbanization projects (engineering, land regularization, architecture, and social management) in municipalities such as Santo André, Santos, and São Paulo. Thus, it grew on a large scale, focusing on Technical Social Work, and its projects became a benchmark for the creation of government programs, such as Habitar Brasil.

Rodoanel, in São Paulo

1997

International Consultancies

Diagonal is hired by International Banks (World Bank and IDB) and by UN-Habitat to transfer its social urbanism methodology to various countries with similar problems.

Diagonal's work in Mozambique.

1999

Expansion throughout Brazil

Begins to expand to Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, and Roraima, carrying out urbanization projects and urban and social development of cities. At this time, Diagonal's working methodology gains strength and recognition in the sector.

Terra Project, for integrated urbanization and regularization of areas, in Vitória – ES.

2000

ISO 9001 Certification and entry into the private sector

Diagonal becomes the first company in its segment to be certified with ISO 9001 and also enters the private sector, managing socioenvironmental impacts in the mining, metallurgy, petrochemical, and civil construction sectors.

Diagonal's work for Vale, in Serra Pelada – PA.

2005

Expansion in the international market and foundation of the branch in Mozambique

Progress in internationalization, with Diagonal establishing itself in Mozambique. This milestone represents the strengthening of its role in international consultancies, which had already started in 1997.

Social work at the branch in Mozambique.

2008

Scaling up in Land Regularization

The regularization efforts of enterprises and irregular housing begin to scale up, operating in 187 municipalities in the state of São Paulo, through projects such as CDHU Regularization of Enterprises, the "Cidade Legal" Program of the São Paulo Government, and the Regularization Program of the Municipality of São Bernardo do Campo, still in effect today.

CDHU Enterprise Regularization Project

2012

Diagonal Group

In 2012, Diagonal expanded its operations with the acquisition of Condominium, a company founded in 1993 based in Recife, which developed the condominium sanitation method, aiming for the universalization of water supply and sewage systems.

Sanitation work carried out by Condominium.

2017

SmartSíndico Foundation

In 2017, Diagonal partnered with SmartSíndico, a social impact business developed to meet the needs of social interest condominiums, whose revenue doesn't allow for the costs of a conventional management company. The company was recognized by the State Government of São Paulo as a solution for the housing area through Pitch Gov SP 2.0 and was certified by BrazilLAB with the GovTech Seal.

SmartSíndico facilitates the management of condominiums for social interest housing - HIS (CDHU, Cohab, and other low-income condominiums).

2019

Public-Private Partnership by performance with SABESP and achievement of B Certification

In 2019, we diversified our operations by participating in the DGFD consortium with SABESP for the sanitation and depollution project of the Rio Pinheiros basin and its tributaries in the operational stretch called Ação Águas Espraiadas. In the same year, Diagonal achieved B company certification and we are committed to becoming an increasingly better company FOR the world. Sistema B Brasil is an organization responsible for the engagement, dissemination, and local promotion of the B movement throughout the country and in Latin America.

Sistema B: a global movement of companies seeking to combine profit with socioenvironmental development.

2020

Digital Transformation

The year 2020 brought many transformations for Diagonal, with several innovative digitization initiatives and improvements in internal and external processes. Business models were created, aiming to disrupt the market in which we operate.

Acceleration of the digital transformation process.

In 2024, may our choices echo as a call to humanity, raising awareness and building a more sustainable and fair future for all.

Kátia Mello - co-president and co-founder of Diagonal.

Follow our social media.

Our History

Timeline

1990-1999

2000-2009

2010-2019

2020-today

Co-president Kátia Mello of Diagonal working on the Urbanization Project of favela Tamarutaca.

1990

Establishment of Diagonal in Recife - PE

Diagonal was founded in 1990, in Recife-PE, and in its initial project, it was responsible for the first urban adverse possession ruling in Jaboatão dos Guararapes.

Favela Tamarutaca, in Santo André, before the interventions.

1992

Expansion throughout the state of São Paulo

Diagonal's work in Mozambique.

1997

International Consultancies

Diagonal is hired by International Banks (World Bank and IDB) and by UN-Habitat to transfer its social urbanism methodology to various countries with similar problems.

Terra Project, for integrated urbanization and regularization of areas, in Vitória – ES.

1999

Expansion throughout Brazil

Begins to expand to Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, and Roraima, carrying out urbanization projects and urban and social development of cities. At this time, Diagonal's working methodology gains strength and recognition in the sector.

Diagonal's work for Vale, in Serra Pelada – PA.

2000

ISO 9001 Certification and entry into the private sector

Diagonal becomes the first company in its segment to be certified with ISO 9001 and also enters the private sector, managing socioenvironmental impacts in the mining, metallurgy, petrochemical, and civil construction sectors.

Social work at the branch in Mozambique.

2005

Expansion in the international market and foundation of the branch in Mozambique

Progress in internationalization, with Diagonal establishing itself in Mozambique. This milestone represents the strengthening of its role in international consultancies, which had already started in 1997.

CDHU Enterprise Regularization Project

2008

Scaling up in Land Regularization

Sanitation work carried out by Condominium.

2012

Associated Companies

In 2012, Diagonal expanded its operations with the acquisition of Condominium, a company founded in 1993 based in Recife, which developed the condominium sanitation method, aiming for the universalization of water supply and sewage systems.

Sanitation work carried out by Condominium.

2017

SmartSíndico Foundation

Sistema B: a global movement of companies seeking to combine profit with socioenvironmental development.

2019

Public-Private Partnership with SABESP and B Certification

In 2019, we took part in the DGFD consortium with SABESP in the sanitation project to clean up the Pinheiros River basin and its tributaries. That same year, Diagonal achieved B Certification, reaffirming our commitment to being a better company FOR the world.

Acceleration of the digital transformation process.

2020

Digital Transformation

The year 2020 brought many transformations for Diagonal, with several innovative digitization initiatives and improvements in internal and external processes. Business models were created, aiming to disrupt the market in which we operate.

Tomás Alvim, Jorge Melguizo and Kátia Mello, at the 1st Brazilian Meeting of Social Urbanism

2022

Establishment of a partnership with Insper (a higher education and research institution)

Social assistance at Vila Reencontro Pari.

2023

Project with the Secretariat of Social Assistance and Development of São Paulo City Hall

1990

Establishment of Diagonal in Recife - PE

Diagonal was founded in 1990, in Recife-PE, and in its initial project, it was responsible for the first urban adverse possession ruling in Jaboatão dos Guararapes.

Co-president Kátia Mello of Diagonal working on the Urbanization Project of favela Tamarutaca.

1992

Expansion throughout the state of São Paulo

Rodoanel, in São Paulo

1997

International Consultancies

Diagonal is hired by International Banks (World Bank and IDB) and by UN-Habitat to transfer its social urbanism methodology to various countries with similar problems.

Diagonal's work in Mozambique.

1999

Expansion throughout Brazil

Begins to expand to Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, and Roraima, carrying out urbanization projects and urban and social development of cities. At this time, Diagonal's working methodology gains strength and recognition in the sector.

Terra Project, for integrated urbanization and regularization of areas, in Vitória – ES.

2000

ISO 9001 Certification and entry into the private sector

Diagonal becomes the first company in its segment to be certified with ISO 9001 and also enters the private sector, managing socioenvironmental impacts in the mining, metallurgy, petrochemical, and civil construction sectors.

Diagonal's work for Vale, in Serra Pelada – PA.

2005

Expansion in the international market and foundation of the branch in Mozambique

Progress in internationalization, with Diagonal establishing itself in Mozambique. This milestone represents the strengthening of its role in international consultancies, which had already started in 1997.

Social work at the branch in Mozambique.

2008

Scaling up in Land Regularization

CDHU Enterprise Regularization Project

2012