In order to preserve the environment, the Federal District Government initiated a project called “Sustainable Brasilia”, financed by the World Bank. Among other actions, the project aimed at closing the landfill and providing decent housing to the families as part of the urbanization of Cidade Estrutural. 

However, the project caused some stir among displaced families: some were sent to rural areas and given no access to basic services, while others were moved a few blocks and given proper housing, but closer to the landfill. The neighbors of Cidade Estrutural criticised the Federal District Government’s decisions and some of the families refused to leave their houses. In 2009, several groups and leaders of Cidade Estrutural formed the platform “Fórum de Monitoramento Social da Estrutural” to address the issues caused by the local Government’s displacement policies. Since then, the forum required the Public Ministry to inspect the living conditions at the houses built under the “Sustainable Brasilia” project. The inspection was carried on and the report determined the area was unfit to receive new residents. In 2010, a court decided to suspend any displacements until the area presented adequate conditions.

The Federal District Government, through its Housing Development Company (CODHAB), appealed to the court’s decision. Meanwhile, and despite the court’s order, CODHAB went on with the dismantling of houses. It also threatened the families with losing the right to a new house. Some people signed a form giving up on the resettlement in the area close to the landfill. A few months later, another court revoked the suspension order. The Forum said there weren’t any changes in living conditions that supported the decision. It was taken after a stunt maneuver by CODHAB, which convinced some families to tell the judge they wanted to move to the new houses, despite the risks. Also according to the Forum, the fact that the area in dispute isn’t part of the project’s EIA was never considered.

Despite the first court order to stop waste deposition at the landfill in 2007, it took 10 years for its deactivation. It only happens after the inauguration of the Federal District new landfill at Samambaia in January 2017. However, months prior to its deactivation, waste pickers organized a series of protests at the old landfill. They accused the Federal District Government of trying to end autonomous waste picker associations and leaving many people without a job as part of the privatization plan for the Urban Cleaning Service (SLU). According to the waste pickers, the Government disrespects Brazil’s solid waste Law. This Law states that a recyclable and reusable solid waste is an economic good with social value that creates jobs and income for citizens.