Architectural competitions have long been used to select the best designs in a viable, fair, and democratic manner, regardless of their purpose. In Brazil, the Institute of Architects of Brazil (IAB) stands out, having represented the country's architects for over a century and strongly advocating for the popularization and formalization of competitions as the primary method for commissioning public works—whether for architecture, urban planning, or landscape design. These competitions ensure that public authorities contract the best project, rather than simply the cheapest, which is common in price-based competitive bidding.