How Inclusive Urbanism Transformed Risk Areas into Safe Spaces for Children in Niterói's Favelas

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Urbanizing communities in high-risk areas is one of the greatest challenges for cities, especially when it involves vulnerable populations and critical geological conditions. In the case of Niterói, the Urban Development and Social Inclusion Program (PRODUIS), a partnership between the City Hall and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), provides a concrete example of how well-planned urban interventions can transform risk areas into quality public spaces, improving community life and mitigating natural disaster risks.

Remnant Areas: Risk spaces become urban solutions focused on early childhood

Through PRODUIS, the City Hall of Niterói carried out urbanization works in the São José and Igrejinha do Caramujo Communities. Specific areas with high geological risks were selected for the implementation of geotechnical projects to mitigate the consequences of natural disasters.

In places where slope containment and drainage works did not mitigate the risks, it was necessary to relocate families to safer areas through the compensatory measure of Assisted Purchase. The experience was analyzed in the publication Involuntary Resettlement with Assisted Purchase: The Experience of Niterói. The areas previously occupied by at-risk residences became "Remnant Areas."

These areas became public spaces and were equipped with urban amenities such as parks, cul-de-sacs, or reforestation areas. One species planted during the project was vetiver, known for its soil-retention properties, with roots reaching more than five meters deep. In these reforestation areas, the work was accompanied by socio-environmental actions with the community.

Urban95 Concept and Early Childhood

One of the main concepts applied to the remnant areas was Urban95, an initiative of the Van Leer Foundation that proposes urban planning from the perspective of a three-year-old child's height (95 cm). The idea is to create cities that promote child development with safe, accessible public spaces that encourage contact with nature.

By transforming risk areas into early childhood-focused parks, the City Hall of Niterói not only promoted residents' safety but also brought significant improvements to quality of life, especially for children. These spaces were not just designed to mitigate risks but to provide an environment that supports the healthy growth of children and their communities.

Promoting a Sense of Belonging through Socio-Environmental Actions

The interventions were not limited to physical infrastructure. A fundamental part of the process was the development of socio-environmental actions, planned by the City Hall of Niterói and carried out by a specialized company, which directly involved the community. The goal was to raise awareness among residents about the importance of preserving and recovering the surrounding environment, ensuring that the remnant areas were not reoccupied irregularly.

These actions included planting and reforestation, and promoted environmental education, encouraging care for the new spaces. The engagement resulting from the project not only helped transform the spaces but also instilled a sense of responsibility in the residents for maintaining and preserving public areas.

Obstacles and Opportunities: Facing the Challenges of Inclusive Urbanization

Niterói has been a pioneer in implementing policies focused on early childhood. In 2018, the City Hall launched the Municipal Plan for Early Childhood, a fundamental milestone that established guidelines for the development of children aged 0 to 6, focusing on health, education, and urbanism. Among the main decrees and legal milestones is Decree No. 13.744/2018, which formalized the creation of the plan, promoting the planning of intersectoral public policies for this age group.

Niterói's early childhood public policy is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These principles guided actions that sought to integrate child care into urban development, contributing to the creation of more just and inclusive cities.

As with any pioneering initiative, transforming remnant areas based on the Urban95 concept brought challenges. One of the main obstacles was the implementation of playgrounds and equipment that followed the guidelines of this innovative approach. Being a relatively new policy in Brazil, it was necessary to find suppliers capable of adapting their product lines to the safety and child development requirements proposed by the initiative.

Overcoming this challenge was possible thanks to the collaboration between the City Hall's technical team and Urban95 consultants. The original project underwent revisions to fully align with the concept, while suppliers adjusted their products to meet the required specifications. This collaborative process ensured that the transformed areas offered safe and stimulating environments for children, promoting their development.

Additionally, Niterói's pioneering efforts have been recognized nationally and internationally. The projects implemented were included in the Arbotecnological Platform, an initiative of the Brazilian Institute of Architects (IAB) that aims to publicize and connect good practices in public projects, programs, and policies related to architecture. The platform accepts projects in areas such as early childhood, public space quality, urban mobility, the environment, and social housing. As a result, Niterói's projects have become references both in Brazil and other cities in Latin America.

With these initiatives, Niterói establishes the implementation of early childhood-focused spaces not only in Resettlement Remnant Areas but also in the revitalization or creation of new parks, projects that, in addition to improving the quality of life for children and their families, promote social interaction, safety, child development, and contribute to reducing inequalities.

To learn more about the topic of gender inclusion in urban spaces, be sure to check out the Practical and Intersectional Guide for More Inclusive Cities by the IDB.

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