Thoughts on the first week

DAY1:
Cantinho do ceu
Jardim de cidade

The first day we were presented what seemed an ambitious but rather naïve plan for improvement the neighbourhood of Cantinho do Ceu. For the benefit of a sustainable watersystem, many families were to be relocated and a parc would take their place.
Many questions raised about the good of a parc with boats and a lighthouse. Is this a realistic plan, taken into account the costs and probable use later? And will it in the end mean an increase in houseprices, thus the endangering of the position of the current habitants?
While visiting the neighbourhood it looked pretty nice and tranquil. The only deviations on this were the signs of demolitions in the 50 meter zone in favour of the parc.
I was not too much shocked about shoppingmall Jardim de Cidade. Although the lack of connection to any type of public space or pedestrian connection is alienating.

DAY2:
Paraisopolis
Ceu of Pantanal
Jardim Pantanal

In Paraisopolis we were shown many acupunctural improvements. I am starting to get a pretty positive view on favelas. But in the back there is lurking the suspicion that what we are shown is subjective.
Do they show what they want us to see, maybe the many endeavors of SEHAB? Or are these ‘the real favelas’?
Then we entered the bad side.. a large flooded area because of a construction flaw, houses no longer made of brick but scraps, and a sewege system inexistent. Now I believe the scope is more complete, shockingly so. And also this proves the work of SEHAB very valuable.

In de CEU of pantanal I again suspect being shown mainly the efforts of intervention, when being explained all about the community centre and their many courses, until we are taken through the neighbourhood and are being offered the chance on very sincere encounters with habitants.
I was much surprised about the state of the dwellings, and their efforts on their habitation and work at home. This seems to be a perfect community, very close and supportive of the neigbourhood. Plus there are many strong initiatives from the CEU and escolas. It is mpressive that they are able to build up such a vibrant and positive neighbourhood despite the threat of being evicted and relocated for the introduction of a parc.. Imagine what could be possible with a little help from the state..

DAY3:
Alphaville
Conjunto National

Another peek into the rich side. And what a boring one. The residential area of Alphaville is best described using the comparison to the set of an American filmset. And the shoppingmall was even more fake, imitating a gradually expanded old citycentre with constructions seperately designed for diversity. The most striking thing was, as was the case with the Jardim de Cidade, that there were no people to be seen at all. The only sign of life was through the blinded SUV’s and in the abundantly present staff.
At sunset we visited the Conjunto National. From this appropriate height we can not see negatives, only the wealth of the citycentre. Impressingly large spans of urban tissue larded with highrise, and helicopters zooming over as flies.


DAY4:
Lectures at SEHAB
Visit cortiços

The lectures at SEHAB were very interesting in the aspect that they again stressed the segregatedness of Sao Paulo. Strikingly enough this was accepted and reinforced by the Municipal Housing and Urban Development Department of Sao Paulo. In the lecture they pointed out in the development strategy for upgrading favelas, that the design of a city should be such, that people are no longer closed in by walls or gates. In the same lecture though, they admitted that they saw this segregated character of Sao Paulo as part of the culture and a precondition rather than a problem to be solved. I was quite dissapointed by that because it deems this ‘city without walls’ an unattainable illusion.
The cortiços were the most extreme experience so far. Visiting it and meeting these wonderfully positive and friendly people renders very humble. The injustice of the fact that they soon will be evicted despite their many investments to make a pleasant home, is too large to ignore. Hopefully in this workshop I can use the frustration to some good.