São Paulo, Brazil

Photo by Luciana Minami/City of São Paulo

Innovative and Collaborative Solution

How does the initiative show evidence of feasibility, including on-going financial and logistical support?

The Rain Gardens are developed by teams that are already hired by the Municipal Administration to perform other routine services, so there is no need to create a new contract, which facilitates the expansion of the initiative throughout the city.

In what ways is the initiative innovative?

Considering the importance of the management of water resources, it was necessary to develop an innovative program, focused on the protection of the environment, based on green infrastructure works and Nature-based Solutions.

The creation of this programme stimulates the development of new actions and green works that are cost-effective and to maximise the benefits and efficiency of drainage systems and sustainability, since the gardens are pioneers in the use of recycling concrete removed from the street, use of tree pruning waste to compost the soil, thus improving its quality, and is also used as natural coverage, decreasing the growth of weeds, always seeking to improve the quality of life of the population.

How is the initiative supported by collaborative working across disciplines and sectors?          

A culture of collaborative work is essential because it helps solve problems efficiently and stimulates innovation. The more integrated, the greater are the chances of achieving good results. In the process of building a Rain Garden, the City of São Paulo relies on:

• Team of execution of services in public areas – construction sites;
• Green areas management team – execution of the landscaping projects;
• Pruning contract – donation of organic material from tree pruning;
• Agronomist engineer – analysis of hydrographic basins;
• Civil servants of the Sub districts – analysis of the particularities of the areas and suggestion of new locations for the execution of projects and maintenance;
• Architect from the Department of City-wide Management – elaboration of the projects;
• Population – help in the maintenance and preservation of the areas.

How does the initiative demonstrate evidence of community support?          

Execution of the pilot project in the Vila Mariana district planned for Uvaias Street at the corner with Décio Street, in Saúde district. This initiative was part of the Pilot Project for Tree Planting on Sidewalks (PPAC) and was developed based on the collaborative work of the public and private sectors, as well as civil society.