Natureza Urbana has spearheaded an innovative urban renewal initiative in Belém do Pará, Brazil, converting a former canal into the expansive Doca Linear Park. This visionary undertaking, spanning 1.2 kilometers along Visconde de Sousa Franco Avenue, serves to bridge the historical gap between the city and its aquatic environments, re-establishing water as a pivotal component of the urban landscape and public infrastructure. The project aligns with broader goals of ecological restoration and improved public access, promising significant environmental and social benefits.
Historically, Belém’s urban expansion led to the concealment and fragmentation of its natural waterways, prioritizing roadways over the city's inherent connection to water. The canal corridor, previously characterized by minimal plant life, poor soil permeability, and a scarcity of public amenities, represented an underutilized and ecologically compromised zone. The Doca Linear Park emerges as a vital part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at re-establishing ecological and spatial harmony while concurrently elevating environmental performance and accessibility for the public.
Conceived as a crucial urban contribution for COP30, this project ingeniously reconfigures the erstwhile canal into a continuous linear park. Its design is firmly rooted in principles of green infrastructure and water-sensitive urban planning, making the historical waterway the central axis for a series of diverse public spaces. These areas are thoughtfully designed for various activities, including relaxation, recreation, and daily use. The park’s integration of nature-based solutions is set to enhance water quality, mitigate diffuse pollution, and support micro-drainage systems. Furthermore, resilient hydraulic solutions are incorporated to address concerns of flood prevention and public safety, ensuring the park's long-term sustainability and functionality.
The increase in soil permeability, coupled with the introduction of abundant native vegetation, plays a crucial role in promoting passive cooling, enhancing drainage efficiency, and regulating the local microclimate. The design team at Natureza Urbana has meticulously implemented these landscape strategies to foster biodiversity and bolster ecological connectivity throughout the urban fabric. Along its substantial length of 1.2 kilometers, the park is replete with a variety of features including scenic viewpoints, elevated pathways, convenient kiosks, engaging playgrounds, a dedicated dog park, comfortable shaded seating areas, a continuous cycle path, and modern sports facilities. This thoughtful integration creates a dynamic sequence of spaces, seamlessly linked by pedestrian and cycling routes, catering to a wide array of community needs.
This design emphasizes universal accessibility, ensuring safety and comfort for all users, thereby encouraging continuous engagement with the park throughout the day. Community involvement was a cornerstone of the development process, with active participation from local residents, educational institutions, and various organizations. Their input was instrumental in shaping programmatic and spatial decisions, ensuring that the park truly aligns with local requirements. Integrated within a broader framework of sanitation, drainage, and urban revitalization efforts in the Doca area, the project is poised to significantly benefit approximately 500,000 residents, transforming their urban experience.
Through the imaginative conversion of a former canal into a combined ecological and public infrastructure, Doca Linear Park triumphantly reintroduces water into Belém’s urban experience. It sets a precedent for landscape-driven regeneration within the unique Amazonian context, offering a sustainable and vibrant model for future urban development that respects and integrates with its natural surroundings.