This document is one in a series of studies that focus on the population policies and plans of a number of mega-cities in developing countries. The object of the series is to examine the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of the population policies of mega-cities from a broad perspective, emphasizing the reciprocal links between population and development. Focusing on the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, this paper consists of 5 major sections. Section 1 provides basic information on demographic trends and reviews the use of demographic data in planning for rapidly growing urban populations. Section 2 presents background information on the city's economic base, the spatial structure of the metropolitan region, and the sectoral and spatial distribution of jobs. Section 3 reviews early decentralization strategies and how they were evaluated and revised by local planners and then examines current population distribution strategies for the metropolitan region. Section 4 deals with a number of key issues and sectors such as the labor market, urban land, housing, and water supply from the perspective of planning for rapidly growing urban populations and managing urban growth. Educators will be particularly interested in section IV.F. "Health and Education", in which the report states that Sao Paulo has 40,000 teachers who work 40-50 hours per week for low wages; also, schools in low income areas are badly equipped and have only 60-80 percent of school age children attending. Section 5 examines sectoral distribution of public investment and how that investment has influenced the achievement of spatial goals; how individual cities have generated revenue for municipal projects; and what types of institutional arrangements have been established to plan for and manage urban growth. (Author/DK)