Children's Playground

Academic project developed in the 7th semester for the course 'Urban Landscape Design' by a group of four members. Its goal was to develop urban/landscape guidelines for the Rapadura Stream, located in the Jardim Têxtil neighborhood (East Zone of São Paulo), followed by the detailed design of one of those guidelines.

Site Study

Rapadura Stream

Through the surveys gathered in the synthesis map, it was possible to identify problems and potential opportunities within the Rapadura Stream sub-basin. The valley has an 80-meter elevation variation, with its highest point at 805 meters and its lowest point at 725 meters above sea level. There is a high degree of soil sealing due to the accelerated urbanization process and intense densification that occurred in the region, disregarding the need for permeable areas — a shortfall that now causes major disruptions during periods of heavy rain.

A considerable number of informal settlements have taken hold along the stream's banks, contributing to the deforestation of the riparian forest and to water and soil pollution through improper waste disposal, while also endangering the lives of residents living in areas at high risk of erosion and collapse. Beyond these informal settlements, a striking number of underused, vacant, or abandoned lots stand out, marking areas with strong potential for the creation of new, quality public spaces.

Current urban mobility relies mainly on private vehicles and public transit; the latter does not reach the areas along the Rapadura Stream, running predominantly along higher-traffic roads with a mostly commercial character. With the future implementation of the Guilherme Giorgi metro station, the sub-basin will likely benefit from expanded and improved local transit lines. Alternative transportation, on the other hand, is underused and poorly maintained — the route lacks attractive points of interest or connections to relevant locations, and as a result receives little encouragement, with no proposals to extend the existing cycling network.

Guidelines

Selected Guideline — Children's Playground

Concept

Based on the analysis carried out, the chosen intervention area showed strong potential. It is located near the banks of the Rapadura Stream, in a stretch densely occupied by informal housing and underused lots, and close to two schools and a children's home.

The project is grounded in the premise of characterizing the area around its predominant user group — children and teenagers — by creating a system of interconnected open spaces that take into account proximity to the stream and the inclusion of elements with a positive impact on the local environmental and social spheres.

To connect these areas, the project proposes relocating residents from the former informal settlements along the stream banks — an area at risk of erosion — to a previously underused site. Two 7-story buildings are planned, housing 70 residential units, in compliance with zoning regulations and meeting the required demand. The buildings feature an open ground floor, creating a passage across the lot that brings residents closer to the connective system of bridges and walkways running along the stream.

The previously occupied banks were converted into areas for strolling, gathering, and contemplation, connecting the proposed areas of interest while preserving open land for the development and restoration of the riparian forest.

As the main feature, a children's and youth playground was developed, using the site's topography to conceive and place play equipment and leisure areas. These areas and their furnishings were organized by color, with each color addressing a different age range within the 0-to-18 bracket served by the nearby schools. The playground extends to the other side of Rua Pero Nunes, with a focus on creating vegetated areas.

Due to the lack of leisure and cultural facilities within the Rapadura Stream sub-basin, a cultural center was proposed on another underused lot within the study area, aiming to activate the space and add another amenity to the neighborhood.

Walkability was prioritized on the streets adjacent to the playground and its connections. Widened sidewalks with permeable paving and tree planting create a more pleasant experience for pedestrians, bringing them closer to the existing and expanded alternative transportation network. A standard 5.60-meter carriageway width was established, along with designated parking areas in locations with higher stopping traffic. On the two streets where the schools are located, a survey of residents' garages was carried out, allowing for the inclusion of planters, trees, and furnishings using the same color scheme found in the playground. Visual identity was maintained throughout the entire proposed system.

Children's Playground

Section AA/BB