Mashiach Now Square Requalification

SÃO PAULO – SP

Renovation of a square in the northern part of São Paulo

For many years, the square was marked by neglect, with issues such as poor lighting and lack of maintenance. However, in 2024, Cidade Center Norte signed an adoption agreement with the Santana/Tucuruvi Subprefecture through the “Adopt a Square” program, created by the Municipal Department of Subprefectures (SMSUB). The revitalization of the square is part of a broader project to transform the future Cidade Center Norte neighborhood, which aims to create public spaces that are integrated both with the new neighborhood and the existing surroundings, requalifying the areas and turning what are currently parking lots or degraded spaces into green areas.

With an area of approximately 10,000 m², Mashiach Now Square, located in the northern zone of the city, occupies a strategic position between major roads in the region and serves as a passageway for pedestrians heading to the Portuguesa-Tietê Station on Metro Line 1 (Blue).

With the creation of the project for the Cidade Center Norte Neighborhood — in response to contemporary urban and city planning challenges — crucial questions arise regarding the design of urban open spaces: How can we articulate healthier and safer open spaces with their potential to connect with people? How can we design spaces focused on the human scale that restore the pedestrian’s relationship with the landscape? Or even, how can we envision an urban future in light of extreme climate issues, in dialogue with bodies of water and the urban quality of cities?

In a local context where automobiles are prioritized over pedestrians, the goal is to adopt strategies that restore the pedestrian’s role as a central agent in the city. These include: sidewalk designs that buffer the proximity between pedestrians and roadways; promoting a diversity of uses to revitalize urban life and strengthen the identity of the territory; creating spaces that foster a contemplative atmosphere and offer opportunities for rest and permanence, sheltered by green areas; and organizing open spaces to form a system of interconnected squares, linear parks, and public or semi-public spaces throughout the area.

Beyond that, the project stems from the reflection — in environmental terms and in light of increasingly frequent extreme climate events — on strategies that enhance the natural character of the project area. These include promoting the recovery of the natural landscape within the urban context through green design strategies, considering the original biodiversity of the territory; implementing Nature-Based Solutions (NBS); and protecting the existing biome while proposing new native plantings, thus strengthening the area as a cooling zone for the population during heatwaves.

The concept envisioned by Natureza Urbana for the interventions in the Bairro Parque Cidade Center Norte is structured around four layers of action: Living Landscape, Network of Elements, Activation of Open Spaces, and Intention.

In a territory originally rich in biodiversity, along the banks of the Tietê River, the Living Landscape layer is expressed through the incorporation of nature beyond its scenic value—positioning it as an active agent of environmental improvement, with direct impact on people’s lives, local ecology, and biodiversity. Throughout the plan, sustainable strategies were defined in conjunction with the design of a living landscape supported by nature-based solutions.

To create a cohesive system of open spaces, it was also necessary to examine the elements that compose this network, in order to establish a common thread even across different areas of the Bairro Parque. The Network of Elements layer introduces a family of components—ranging from urban furniture to larger interventions—that provide identity, unity, and activate the public space network.

By aligning the creation of new open spaces with the culture and daily life of residents, the Activation of Open Spaces layer brings a new dimension to the project: through the proposal of diverse uses across different days and times—supporting daily routines, commercial activity, sports, leisure, and cultural programs—we can envision safer and healthier environments for the community.

Attuned to each proposal through both temporal characteristics—urban planning debates—and local specificities—direct community needs—the Intention layer recognizes the uniqueness of each point within the Bairro Parque. It results in projects with distinct territorial identities, aiming to create meaningful impacts in people’s lives and spaces that truly respond to local demands.

Within this vision, Mashiach Now Square was revitalized with a focus on environmental restoration and the integration of native Atlantic Forest vegetation—the area’s original biome. The landscape design features winding pathways and planting beds, inspired by the natural river courses that once defined the original landscape of São Paulo’s North Zone.

The revitalization process included active listening to various local stakeholders, led by Instituto Center Norte in partnership with the Santana-Tucuruvi Subprefecture, residents of the Zaki Narchi community, and children from the Municipal School Vereador Antônio Sampaio. From this engagement, a “Wish List” was created by the surrounding community and local agents, outlining basic desired uses. The project was then developed to address the diverse needs identified, incorporating spaces for leisure, social interaction, and physical activity.

The redesigned space features sports areas, including a mini court, ping-pong tables, a skate park, and outdoor fitness equipment with dedicated zones for seniors and calisthenics. Benches, tables, bleachers, and rest areas were also installed, along with a children’s playground equipped with toys suitable for various age groups.

The curves of the pavement also inspired the design of the site furnishings: curved benches made of cast-in-place concrete, which—together with the colors of the equipment and railings—add character to the landscape, bringing identity and vibrancy to the space. The main circulation path is defined by concrete paving in different tones, connecting areas equipped with urban furniture that are integrated into the green spaces. Meanwhile, the bike path will be connected to the city’s larger cycling network, contributing to a more efficient and accessible transportation system.

The sidewalks, pathways, and bike lane proposed in the square are not only part of the neighborhood’s new design but also connect with São Paulo’s sustainable urban mobility system. These routes were designed to maximize the number of connections between leisure and seating areas while providing safety through visually permeable spaces.

The preservation of the existing vegetation was one of the main pillars of the project. All the trees originally in the square were retained, and 78 new trees were planted. Additionally, the landscaping was carefully planned with ground covers and shrubs that create spaces with diverse blooms, attracting more native fauna to the area. As a result, a leisure area and a cooling zone were established in an otherwise arid environment, featuring mature species and plenty of shade.

The revitalization works began on October 9, 2024, and were completed on February 3, 2025. What was once a degraded space was transformed, offering the community a more accessible, safe, and pleasant area. This intervention not only revitalized an important public space in São Paulo’s North Zone but also aligns with the sustainability and urban integration goals set by the new neighborhood, promoting a more connected, inclusive, and green environment for all.