Having the urban life as its main topic, we will be approaching its complementary themes, such as urbanism, public space, mobility, housing and other uses, financing, environment, participation, urban art, heritage and many others.

It was 2011 when I first met Alexandros Washburn. He was a lecturer at a seminar in Sao Paulo and I sat at the audience, mesmerized by his ability to explain in such a simplistic manner my everyday life as an urban designer working for the public sector. He presented us his three “bosses” – Frederick Law Olmsted, Jane Jacobs and Robert Moses – and didactically went through the complexities of our job. He inspired many professionals that day – including me.

One of the greatest surprises I have ever experienced when taking a trip was to visit Madrid Río project, in 2012. The fantastic linear park along Manzanares river had just been opened and I hadn´t read much about it or even seen its images by then. Many people didn´t even acknowledge its existence, since the city has developed away from it, very differently from Paris or London, for example.

When the tram VLT Carioca started circulating last June in Rio de Janeiro society began discussing how public space is shared, as expected. The novelty brings along the fear of conflicts and it feels like this kind of transportation has never been used in Brazil. Although the technology might be new, the conviviality between trams, motorized vehicles, pedestrian and cyclists has already been part of daily routine in Rio de Janeiro – and it was substituted by buses for their flexibility of implementation and coverage. The tram system designed for the carioca capital is 28-km long, 18 of which are been operated. It integrates with other modals of public transportation, such as buses, BRT, subway, trains and ferryboats.  

It’s been a year since our Page at Facebook has been created. Time passes by quickly. I was super pregnant, 37 weeks along. Bernardo was ready to be born at any moment, but he chose to wait another twenty days.

This week i caught myself reflecting on how Brazilian cities suffer from the informality of its urbanism. On the disorganization, the lack of sectorial integration, with or without any intention. Thinking of simple, cheap and interesting projects which could contribute to the well-being of citizens. 

Cantinho do Céu, São Paulo, Brazil (Boldarini Arquitetura e Urbanismo)