Public areas in several administrative regions of the capital have a new look. The changes occur through the Adote uma Praça program, an initiative created in 2019 by the Government of the Federal District (GDF) to promote improvements in public places in the city in partnership with businesspeople and residents. Since its inception, 370 adoption requests have been received, with proposals such as the construction or maintenance of children’s playgrounds, sports courts, parking lots, squares and gardens. Of these, 98 have already been opened and are available for the population to enjoy.
Any natural or legal person can propose to the government a project for a public area that does not have a specific destination | Photo: Matheus H. Souza/Agência Brasília
Many projects had a major impact on the urbanization of the city and the population’s quality of life. These were the cases of the renovation of the South Hospital Sector, in which the area gained a food court, new sidewalks, accessibility and LED lighting, and the creation of one of the most frequented cultural spaces in the DF today, the Sesi Lab, on the Esplanada dos Ministérios , which was born from sponsorship of the site by Sistema S.
“The project reduced bureaucracy in the community’s ability to contribute to public spaces and brought a sense of belonging. Businesspeople and even individuals can be willing to adopt a space and make everything from small improvements to major renovations”, says the Undersecretary of Privatization, Divestment and Demobilization of the Special Projects Secretariat, Helena Moreira. “We have had a very positive reception and great and intense participation since implementation”, she adds.
Launched in May 2019, Adote a Square was made official through Decree 39,690/2019, which regulates Law No. 448/1993, referring to the adoption of squares, public gardens and road balloons, by entities and companies
Any natural or legal person can propose to the government a project for a public area that does not have a specific destination. The proposal can be either maintenance or construction of something new. “There are some restrictions in the legislation. But, in general, any public space that does not have a destination is subject to adoption”, explains the undersecretary.
The request must be made via application available on the Special Projects Secretariat website and delivered to the regional administration or the body that owns the space. The public administration analyzes the feasibility and public interest of authorizing the improvement. If authorized, a cooperation agreement is signed, which can be revoked at any time if there is a need to allocate the area.
Quality of life
So far, the program has benefited communities in Águas Claras, Brazlândia, Ceilândia, Gama, Guará, Jardim Botânico, Lago Sul, Paranoá, Planaltina, Plano Piloto, Riacho Fundo, Samambaia, Santa Maria, São Sebastião, SIA, Sobradinho, Sudoeste/ Octagonal and Taguatinga.
Many projects had a major impact on the city’s urbanization and the population’s quality of life | Photo: Matheus H. Souza/Agência Brasília
“The project has expanded a lot. The place we have the most requests for is Plano Piloto, but we also have many in Gama and Águas Claras. As we have requests still being processed, we imagine that we will have actions in almost all administrative regions of the DF”, analyzes Helena Moreira.
About two years ago, architect Olinda Caetano do Carmo, 64 years old, decided to adopt an abandoned space on the street in front of her house at QE 13 in Guará II. “It was an abandoned forest, full of rubbish and had rats and cockroaches. So I set out to tidy up and create a garden. At first it was difficult, the residents reported me thinking I was trespassing. The situation only improved when I managed to get the administration to be part of the Adopt a Square project,” she recalls.
Today, the area has plants grown on site or displayed in pots, as well as a statue and a table with concrete benches. It has become a real space for the population to coexist. “People usually sit here to relax. Not to mention there was already a birthday and a party. People set up tables and enjoy”, says Olinda. Now, the woman’s intention is to install public lighting. “I already have the stitches ready. We will do the installation soon,” she adds.
The Seu Juca kiosk, at QE 6 in Guará I, also developed a project that is part of the GDF program. Recently opened, the space has a children’s playground, as well as new pavement on the sidewalk and landscaping. “Their intention was to give something back to the community that welcomes them so well. As there are several buildings and condominiums here, children come down and play there. With this, the restaurant ends up having a friendly relationship with the population”, says the Undersecretary of Privatization, Divestment and Demobilization of the Special Projects Secretariat, Helena Moreira.
Resident of the Lucio Costa residence, nursing technician Gerusa Martiniano, 51, passes by the kiosk almost daily to take her grandson Lorenzo Silva Ferraz, 7, swimming. During these crossings, they saw the work on the playground and approved the initiative. “I found the construction of this space very interesting, because it will bring a lot of children here. Not to mention that now you can come to the kiosk and then take the little ones to enjoy the playground”, she analyzes. She says she intends to take her grandson more often because the park’s facilities are better than those currently available in the area where she lives.
About the program
Launched in May 2019, Adote a Square was made official through Decree 39,690/2019, which regulates Law No. 448/1993, referring to the adoption of squares, public gardens and road balloons, by entities and companies. The objective is to establish partnerships with businesspeople and residents of the capital for the maintenance and restoration of public places, such as squares, gardens, roundabouts and avenues, as well as monuments, tourist attractions, among others.
