Our History

Com mais de 35 anos de história, a Diagonal é uma consultoria socioambiental, pioneira em Gestão Social, que tem como princípio ajudar a promover a transformação social, favorecendo o desenvolvimento sustentável e o estabelecimento de uma relação mais humana, justa e duradoura entre as pessoas e os seus territórios.

Apoiamos empresas, organizações e governos a minimizarem os impactos negativos e maximizarem os impactos positivos nas comunidades vulneráveis. Nessas três décadas de atuação, já ajudamos a impactar positivamente a vida de mais de 6 milhões de pessoas, ao lado de cerca de 220 clientes, em 22 países, 24 estados e mais de mil municípios brasileiros.

Follow our Timeline and learn about our history:

Kátia Mello atuando no projeto de Urbanização da 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.

Habitação de interesse social HIS

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.

Capa do Guia de Urbanismo Social em parceria com o Laboratório Arq.Futuro do Insper

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.

Seminário estratégico de 2026

2026

Transição

Em 2026, a Diagonal conclui um processo de transição societária que marca um novo momento em sua trajetória. À frente da presidência, Álvaro Jucá passa a conduzir integralmente a empresa, mantendo o compromisso com a geração de impacto socioambiental.

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