Alfredo Sirkis Piratininga Park Book Launch – Nature, Innovation and Socio-Environmental Justice

Sustainable Ocean Region Program Team/ Niterói City Hall

Oca Pavilion | Bookstore | Basement

Dear Reader,

We live in challenging times. Cities grow, natural resources are depleted, extreme weather events become more frequent. Sometimes, everything seems too big, too complex, too urgent. And that's precisely why we need to stop, breathe—and look to the solutions that arise from care, listening, and nature. This book you hold in your hands is an invitation to active hope. It's not a naive hope, but one built with strong and efficient roots, like those of the plants that filter the water in Orla Piratininga Park (POP) in Niterói. Throughout the chapters, you'll learn a true story of transformation: that of a previously degraded urban area, which is undergoing a recovery process through Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and deep community engagement.

You'll see that it's possible to reconcile environment, infrastructure, and social justice when we respect the intelligence of the territory and the knowledge of the people who live there. This isn't just a technical account—it's a sensitive record of processes, challenges, learnings, and affections. Here, each garden planted is also a political choice; each bioswales dug is a gesture of affection toward the city. You can read it linearly or by topic, depending on your interests. In the table of contents, you'll find the chapters organized clearly and visually. If you work in urban planning, environmental management, education, research, social movements, or simply care about the place where you live, this book is for you. May each page inspire you to observe your place with new eyes. May it make you ask: "What if my city could also regenerate?" And may you, upon finishing, feel compelled to take action—even if it's just taking the first step. Nature teaches us that everything begins with a seed. And this book is one of them.

The first 50 readers will receive the Parque Orla Book as a gift.

Free

No registration is required, participation is on a first come, first served basis.

We thank everyone who participated and visited the 14th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial, from September 18 to October 19, 2025

NOTE OF CONDOLENCE

With deep sorrow, the Brazilian Institute of Architects – São Paulo Department (IABsp) mourns the passing of architect and landscape architect Kongjian Yu, a global leader in ecological urbanism, and the members of his team who accompanied him, tragically killed during the filming of a documentary. The institute is honored to have had him as a participant in the 14th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial, where his transformative vision strengthened the dialogue between global challenges and local realities. IABsp emphasizes that Yu's contribution, which transcends borders, will remain an inspiration for generations and expresses its condolences to China, to the families of all the deceased, to his friends, and to all those impacted by his genius and dedication. Read the full note here.