Terminal and Urban Park in São Luís

Location São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil

Client / operator International Development Bank and São Luís City Hall

Architects Natureza Urbana BR – 05432-050 São Paulo www.naturezaurbana.net

Author Natureza Urbana

Photos Meireles Junior

Official opening December 2020

Construction costs BRL 14.3 million (EUR 2.6 million)

NEW PUBLIC SPACE IN HISTORIC TOWN CENTRE

TERMINAL AND URBAN PARK IN SÃO LUÍS

The Terminal and Urban Park project fosters the renovation of a central area in a precarious district. With the creation of the sports court, skate arena, a playground, a highly welcomed fountain area and the community garden, the Natureza Urbana office aims to enhance collective activities and public engagement in the management of the park, renovating public spaces and connecting them with the urban fabric.

In 1997, the historical centre of São Luís was declared UNESCO World Heritage for its outstanding examples of Portuguese colonial civilization adapted to the climatic conditions of equatorial South America and the preservation of the colonial urban fabric. This setting led to an increased demand for public measures to preserve and to value this heritage.

Thus, a partnership of the Revitalization Program of the Historic Centre of São Luís and the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) resulted in the renovation of a large area in the coastal part of the city, focusing on a new park and bus terminal.

Connecting historic sites with local business The design strategy aimed to generate a stronger connection between important cultural facilities in the surroundings and local services. It also sought to enhance the usage of public space by engaging the community in the design process, and by considering all different types of users.

The redesign of the square and the bus terminal promotes a better distribution of commercial points and eliminates existing physical and visual barriers. The new project creates small islands with public programs and urban furniture, promoting ideal conditions for the creation of a vibrant public space, encouraging many activities such as ball sports, skating, gardening, playing in the playground or just relaxing, in addition to commercial stands for local merchants. Also, the terminal’s road system is restructured and modernized, aiming at higher quality in the services provided to users.

Result of many actors’ effort Throughout the development, society organizations and public agencies were involved, through participatory processes and workshops. Social surveys and analysis of the pre-existing situation of traders were carried out, with the objective of developing a proposal that would meet all local demands and needs. In conjunction with territorial analyses, this directed the location of commercial points and the definition of typologies.

The project was able to renovate the important central and public space, enhancing the dialogue with the existent heritage and offering a series of new opportunities. Sport and leisure activities were improved with the proposition of new equipment, at the same time as the upgrade of accessibility in public paths and sidewalks. The architecture and landscape help to improve the situation for the local merchants. Pedestrians and passers-by can enjoy new public spaces in the historical part of their city.