Implementation of riverside parks in the city of São Paulo – progress and constraints

Abstract

The environmental degradation of urban rivers and streams in large cities has led to the development of a variety of public policies. In the city of São Paulo, Brazil, a policy for recovering watercourses and valley floors has been developed with the implementation of riverside parks. This represents a new paradigm for the city in terms of its relationship with rivers and streams. This paper presents the results of an exploratory study, which aimed to analyse riverside parks in the city of São Paulo during the last decade. The study analysed the main management difficulties in relation to these types of urban park during their post-implementation stage, assessing their performance in relation to their social and environmental functions. It addressed issues such as the state of the site before and after the implementation of the riverside park, levels of user satisfaction in relation to the state of the watercourse, sports and leisure facilities, green space, security and the way the park is used. The study showed that riverside parks are recognised as elements that improve the quality of public spaces, socially legitimised as public policies.

Keywords:

• urban planning
• restoration of urban streams
• São Paulo city
• water resources

Notes

1 Research conducted by the authors between June and December 2012 in 16 riverside parks established in the city of São Paulo.

2 Law n. 15.520, 5 January 2012.

3 In January 2012, the findings of the research were published; over 25,000 people participated, 54% through the Internet. The aim of the research was to seek support to draft a 30-year strategic development plan.

4 Municipal Law 13.539/2003.