Rio successfully restores its downtown

The historical city centre in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Lapa, has been restored as a vibrant area of the city.

Lapa lies adjacent to Rio’s historical and commercial center and port.  From the end of the 19^th century to the 1930’s, the city’s elite lived in Lapa.  When the city’s upper class moved southward after the 1930’s, Rio's historical centre entered into a steady decline. 

Busy managing growth in the affluent south, public authorities neglected the old part of the city.  Buildings fell to disrepair, traffic was heavy, old drainage pipes overflowed following rains, and the neighbourhood was unfriendly to pedestrians in general.

Starting in the 1980’s, the city began to make improvements, establishing the area of Lapa as a cultural corridor.  Tax exemptions were given for restoring the facades of historical buildings, neighbourhood associations started up to lobby public authorities for improvements, a lane of traffic was taken out to widen the sidewalks, and street and cultural fairs starting being held.

Sustainable development, as defined by the Brundtland Report, is “… development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”  ICLEI’s mission is to build sustainable communities.  Please visit other pages on our website – www.iclei.org – for more information.

Rio de Janeiro is one of 12 local governments in Brazil that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.  For more information on ICLEI and its activities in Latin America, please go to www.iclei.org/la.  

Source:  “Girl from Ipanema Heading Back Downtown”, Sustainable Transport, Fall 2007.