Piracicaba River Linear Park System

Stuchi&Leite - Carlos Leite and Fabiana Stuchi

Project implementation: Brazil
Project development: Brazil

The urban plan for the Piracicaba River Linear Park System, developed during the review of the city's Master Plan, seeks to establish a strategy of interventions — urban, environmental, mobility, and tourism — of an integrative nature and with recurring elements, enhancing the already consolidated connection between the city and its waters, respecting its ecology, history, and culture, in addition to enabling a cohesive territorial complex.
With the implementation of a Master Plan for the Piracicaba Riverbank, a system of sidewalks, cycle paths, public and river transport is proposed, articulating the set of existing or planned green and leisure areas, in addition to a set of strategic guidelines such as:
– Inclusion of public uses (leisure, decks, sports);
– Implementation of support infrastructure (toilets, food);
– Refurbishment of large-scale equipment (Mill, Aquarium, Theater, Boyes Factory, Museums);
– Activation of commercial fronts (next to Lar dos Velhinhos and on Nova Av. Renato Wagner) and in areas with potential for partnerships with the private sector.

This complex includes Worker's Park, with a new connection to João Herrmann Neto Park; Porto Street, with generous sidewalks, restaurants, and unobstructed views of the water; the established Beira-Rio neighborhood; as well as the former Boyes Factory and the Water Museum, and, beyond the Mirante Bridge, two new parks: Renato Wagner Park and, on the opposite bank of the river, an area for future development currently owned by Companhia City. From this point onward, an integration between traditional public spaces of recognized historical value is planned: Mirante Park, Engenho Central Park, and Bosque Park. A third pedestrian walkway over the river, disconnected from vehicle traffic, ensuring fluidity between the two banks, is also proposed.

By incorporating more leisure space along Av. Renato Wagner — a low-demand, previously neglected road — it was possible, through the redesign of the road and the removal of invasive species that obstructed the connection with the water, to activate a new leisure center for the city and promote connections with the ESALQ-USP campus.
Within the scope of this plan, the requalification project, not yet implemented, of Parque do Trabalhador was also developed, with a profile focused primarily on sports practices, in contrast to other areas of the system that have different predominant uses:
João Herrmann Neto Park, a recreational park, geared towards walking and running;
Beira-Rio and Rua do Porto section, aimed at gastronomic tourism and direct contact with the river;
Parque do Engenho Central, with large facilities and traditional festivals;
Mirante Park, with an emphasis on contemplating the river's main waterfall;
Segment of the New Renato Wagner Avenue focused on preserving the natural landscape and leisure in the middle of the forest, bringing the city and nature closer together.

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.