{"id":30536,"date":"2016-07-21T14:37:30","date_gmt":"2016-07-21T17:37:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rioonwatch.org\/?p=30536"},"modified":"2016-07-22T17:57:08","modified_gmt":"2016-07-22T20:57:08","slug":"vila-laboriaux-repurposes-space-for-a-new-community-square","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=30536","title":{"rendered":"Vila Laboriaux Repurposes Space for a New Community Square [IMAGES]"},"content":{"rendered":"

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas\"\"<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

On Saturday July 16, over 150<\/a>\u00a0residents and volunteers gathered in Vila Laboriaux<\/a> to celebrate the completion of the four week project\u00a0to create a new public square\u00a0in the community. Located at the forested peak of Rocinha<\/a> on the edge of the Tijuca Forest<\/a>, Vila Laboriaux is a community known for its environmental<\/a> and self-organized initiatives<\/a>. The construction of the new square\u00a0is yet another example of the community\u2019s creative solutions for repurposing public space<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In a series of four consecutive Saturdays beginning June 25, residents and collaborators cleared, planted, painted, and built\u00a0benches and play structures for the new space. Using recycled materials such as wooden pallets and old tires, participants built benches, tables and platforms. Old tires were used to improve the already existing urban gardening area and acted as flowerpots or staircases. They attached the tires to a low wall to be used as a climbing structure for children. Old donated fridges were painted and are going to be used as a public library.<\/p>\n

\"Flower<\/a><\/p>\n

The weekly Facebook events<\/a> stated the mission of the project: \u201cOur challenge: to begin a transformation of the space through the collective construction of a square\u00a0on four Saturdays.\u201d Although the initial idea was a temporally limited action, the organizers\u00a0imagine continuing\u00a0initiatives like this.<\/p>\n

Last Saturday\u2019s event focused on painting the area and celebrating the achievements of the collective action. With the help of local artist Wark<\/a>\u00a0and friends, the neighboring walls were covered with graffiti art and bright colors.<\/p>\n

\"Graffiti<\/a><\/p>\n

On\u00a0each of the work days, residents set up a used clothing sale, another means of contributing to a cycle of responsible recycling. A barbecue and music have accompanied these festive and productive afternoons.<\/p>\n

The event was hosted in collaboration between the Vila Laborioux Neighborhood Association, Favela Verde<\/a>, Caminhos do Lagarto<\/a>, International Center for Studies and Research on Childhood (Ciespi)<\/a>, Atados Rio<\/a>, and sponsored by Airbnb<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Constructing<\/a><\/p>\n

The site of the current square\u00a0was originally occupied by private housing ruled to be in an area of risk. After the space was\u00a0cleared and the houses removed, the empty lot had been a public space used for community projects such as the CineClub where residents host environmentally-themed outdoor movie nights on Sundays. Next to\u00a0the area is a community garden started earlier this year. The CineClub and the garden marked the beginning of this community action to create\u00a0an integrated and multi-use square\u00a0with open-air cinema, urban gardening, playground, a public library and a public space for events.<\/p>\n

\"Fridges<\/a><\/p>\n

“The idea is to have a public space in an incredible location in Rio in general. There are few spaces here like this. The idea is to make a garden, a square\u00a0for the kids and everyone to enjoy,” says Toni Ferrari, organizer with Favela Verde.<\/p>\n

The square\u00a0is just one more example of the successful initiatives within Vila Laborioux through which residents organize to improve their environment. The community has completed similar collective action projects within the last year to transform another underutilized space into an edible garden<\/a> that now serves as a resource for environmental education at the local school. In addition, community-based ecotourism<\/a> is another project that has seen recent\u00a0progress in the community.<\/p>\n

Many people are hopeful\u00a0about what the\u00a0new public space will\u00a0offer the community.\u00a0“I’d like to see people happier and more interested. This project is nothing more than an incentive, a hope that life can be better,” says Laboriaux resident Rafaela Lemes.<\/p>\n

In the case of the square,\u00a0Vila Laboriaux once more used creativity and the favela tradition of a mutir\u00e3o<\/a>, <\/em>or collective action,\u00a0to demonstrate the value of repurposing public space for community enjoyment.<\/p>\n

Check out our photos of the event (click here for Flickr album<\/a>):<\/h3>\n