Rachel de Queiroz Park

Aerial view of the Rachel de Queiroz Park
Project box

Geographical area: Latin America and the Caribbean

Location: Fortaleza, Brazil

City size: Large (between 1,000,000 and 5,000,000 inhabitants)

Promoter: Fortaleza City Council

Developer: Fortaleza City Council

Start year:

End-year:

Implementation phase: Completed

Project size: City

Total area of intervention (in sqm): 325.666

Total investments (in USD): 6.091.230

Project overview

The Rachel de Queiroz Park was developed in Fortaleza, the capital of Ceará state in Northeastern Brazil. Supported by a World Bank investment of approximately USD 6 million, the project transformed a previously degraded, flood-prone area, into a vibrant public park. Once a vacant lot, the site used to be an illegal landfill and sewer; this situation contributed to the pollution of the Maranguapinho stream, a water resource that cuts through the terrain and now forms the largest area of the new park. Additionally, due to the intense urbanisation process in the district and the consequent reduction of permeable ground in the surrounding area, flooding became more frequent due to the overloading of the city’s drainage system. Today, the park spans 325,665.71 square meters and provides the city with green infrastructure, recreational facilities, and improved urban mobility, significantly enhancing the quality of life for local residents.

One of the park’s key features is its constructed wetland system, composed of nine interconnected artificial lagoons linked to the Maranguapinho River sub-basin. These lagoons are designed to naturally filter and improve water quality. This nature-based solution enhances water resource preservation, reduces flood risks, and strengthens the city’s climate resilience against extreme weather events. The park also plays a crucial role in urban cooling, reducing the heat island effect through increased vegetation cover and permeable surfaces. 

The regeneration of Rachel de Queiroz Park has created a multifunctional public space, promoting social inclusion, environmental and biodiversity protection, and economic revitalization. The park serves as a major recreational and social space, offering walking and cycling trails, sports fields, playgrounds, an amphitheatre, a dog park, an outdoor gym, and dedicated reading areas, improving the quality of life for residents and connecting fourteen neighbourhoods. 

Sustainability was central to the park’s development, with energy-efficient public lighting, biosynthetic benches, eucalyptus wood arbours, and permeable paving to support resource efficiency and environmental resilience. The project also included educational campaigns to raise awareness about proper solid waste management and environmental conservation, encouraging community engagement in the long-term maintenance and sustainability of the area.

The Fortaleza City Council leads the Rachel de Queiroz Park project as landowner, promoter, developer, and regulator under the Fortaleza Cidade Sustentável Program, funded by the World Bank. Architectus S/S handled urbanization, landscaping, and environmental studies, while Athos Construções LTDA executed the works. The Municipality maintains the park, ensuring the conservation of greenery and public spaces, while Autarquia de Urbanismo e Paisagismo de Fortaleza (URBFOR) manages green infrastructure, afforestation, and natural drainage, reinforcing sustainable urban development.

The project integrates mobility infrastructure and extensive open and recreational spaces, improving both urban connectivity and public leisure opportunities. The park serves as a key mobility corridor, connecting fourteen neighbourhoods through pedestrian-friendly pathways, cycle lanes, and bike-sharing stations, promoting active and sustainable transportation. Additionally, the project has also expanded green and recreational areas, incorporating sports facilities, playgrounds, and social gathering spots. This multifunctional approach strengthens urban integration, improves quality of life, and fosters community engagement.

Benefits

The revitalization of Rachel de Queiroz Park has significantly stimulated local economic development, fostering job creation, business growth, and real estate appreciation. By transforming a previously degraded area into a vibrant public space, the project has enhanced the attractiveness of the surrounding neighbourhoods, encouraging investment and commercial activity. 

The project generated over 500 direct and indirect jobs, including construction works for the development of infrastructures and long-terms employment opportunities in landscaping and park maintenance. The long-term economic benefits are even more significant, as the park has become home to 355 business owners, who now cater to the growing number of visitors. The influx of park users has driven a 40% increase in foot traffic in the area, directly benefiting local commerce and boosting the average income of street vendors by 30%.

Beyond immediate business growth, the redevelopment has had a lasting impact on real estate values. The modernization of public space and enhanced urban environment have led to a 20% increase in property values in the areas surrounding the park, attracting new investors and stimulating further urban renewal efforts. As a result, Rachel de Queiroz Park has established itself as a hub for leisure, tourism, and economic activity, reinforcing Fortaleza’s position as a city committed to sustainable and inclusive urban development.

The Rachel de Queiroz Park project has significantly improved the environmental quality of the area by reclaiming previously degraded land, much of which had been used for irregular waste disposal. These areas were revitalized and transformed into green spaces, fostering social interaction while raising awareness about proper solid waste management through community engagement initiatives.

The project prioritized efficient resource use, integrating energy-saving LED public lighting, which enhances safety while reducing electricity consumption and CO2 emissions. Additionally, innovative water management solutions, such as drainage paving, rain gardens, and constructed wetlands, were implemented to improve water infiltration, reduce flood risks, and enhance urban resilience. The wetlands system and riparian forest restoration played a crucial role in climate adaptation, mitigating urban heat island effects and improving biodiversity by creating natural habitats for local fauna.

The expansion of native tree cover and the regeneration of the Maranguapinho River sub-basin have strengthened carbon sequestration, reducing greenhouse gas emissions while improving air quality and ecological balance. Furthermore, the promotion of sustainable mobility, with dedicated cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, has contributed to further reducing GHG emissions.

A key component of the project was community participation, which played a fundamental role in enhancing urban resilience. Through environmental education initiatives and public engagement efforts, the local population was encouraged to adopt sustainable practices, develop risk management skills, and actively contribute to the preservation of public spaces, ensuring the long-term success of the park as a model for ecological restoration and climate adaptation.

The regeneration of Rachel de Queiroz Park has brought significant social benefits promoting equity, accessibility, and community integration. First, the new development provides universal access to leisure and sports facilities, reducing territorial inequality in a vulnerable area and ensuring that public amenities are available to different social groups. At the same time, the park’s strategic location, connecting fourteen neighbourhoods, strengthens social cohesion, fostering greater interaction among communities while improving urban safety and economic opportunities for local residents.

The urban regeneration project also included new mobility infrastructure, making the park a hotspot for active transportation in Fortaleza. The creation of accessible pedestrian and cycling paths, the installation of bikeshare stations within the city’s “Bicicletar” programme and the expansion of safe road infrastructure have enhanced connectivity and reduced travel times, encouraging the use of sustainable transportation. 

Furthermore, the mobility infrastructure was designed with universal accessibility in mind, to accommodate the needs of disabled citizens. The park features tactile flooring for visually impaired pedestrians, as well as adapted pathways and equipment to accommodate individuals with reduced mobility.

The area’s transformation from an irregular landfill into a well-maintained park significantly improved public safety. Not only did it make the space more inviting, but measures such as the modernization of public lighting, the installation of a camera monitoring system, and the increased presence of the Municipal Guard and Police have strengthened incident prevention and response, ensuring that the park remains a secure and welcoming space for all.

The project also incorporates digital innovation to enhance user experience and urban management. The implementation of intelligent lighting systems and camera monitoring improves safety and energy efficiency. Additionally, connectivity solutions, such as free Wi-Fi in strategic areas, integration with mobility apps, and georeferenced information systems, have enhanced accessibility and digital inclusion, allowing users to navigate the park more efficiently and stay connected.

The project did not achieve, nor is it planning to, any sustainability certifications.

Finance model

The Rachel de Queiroz Park project received public funds, with financial support provided, through low-cost loans, by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), also known as the World Bank. The funding, amounting to USD 6.091.230,0132, was allocated through the Fortaleza Cidade Sustentável Program, an initiative aimed at promoting sustainable urban development in Fortaleza.

The project was financed through debt instruments, specifically low-cost loans. The funding was secured via the IBRD, enabling the Fortaleza City Council to implement urban regeneration interventions under favourable financial conditions. These low-interest loans facilitated the park’s development while ensuring financial feasibility for the municipality.

References and Credits

Image: Archdaily (2022). Parque Rachel de Queiroz / Architectus S/S. Photograph by: Joana França. Accessed on 19/03/2025 https://www.archdaily.com.br/br/985555/parque-rachel-de-queiroz-architectus-s-s

Participant form response 

Archdaily (2022). Parque Rachel de Queiroz / Architectus S/S. Photograph by: Joana França. Accessed on 19/03/2025 https://www.archdaily.com.br/br/985555/parque-rachel-de-queiroz-architectus-s-s

Archivo Digital Arquitectura Panamericana (2022). Parque Rachel de Queiroz. Accessed on 27/03/2025 Parque Rachel de Queiroz – Arquitectura Panamericana BAQ 2022

Cowan, L. (2022). Rachel de Queiroz park preserves the wetlands in Brazil. Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building | Green design & innovation for a better world. Accessed on 20/03/2025. https://inhabitat.com/rachel-de-queiroz-park-preserves-the-wetlands-in-brazil/

World Bank Group (2025). Fortaleza Sustainable Urban Development Project. Development projects : Fortaleza Sustainable Urban Development Project - P153012