Global Urban Development (GUD)
The Pitch
Global Urban Development designed ZISPOA to be a “sustainable innovation zone”: a dedicated space where people can engage in sustainability. The area hosts bike-share stations, a community garden, solar panels, a public park and recycling infrastructure.
The Problem
Porto Alegre lacked a model of sustainable development and public spaces where residents could partake in sustainable practices. In addition, access to cycling infrastructure and healthy food was limited.
The Process
- Created ZISPOA: a concentrated area for sustainable innovation
- Established bike-share stations within ZISPOA and expanded the reach of bike lanes in the area
- Installed solar panels and recycling infrastructure
- Opened public parks and gardening spaces
- Helped the city pass legislation to provide policy support for ZISPOA
- Co-created waste reduction and recycling strategies with the city
- Organized Porto Alegre’s first World Environment Day Festival, which attracted over 400 participants and inspired dozens more events with thousands more people involved
The Impact
- Expanded its reach citywide: ZISPOA began as a part of two neighborhoods and now includes 10
- Partnered with the city, private sector, universities and other institutions to expand its impact
- Increased access to bikes through bike-share stations and expansion of bike lanes
- Encouraged residents to switch to cycling, a sustainable mode of transport that is better for the environment and has positive impacts on human health and well-being
- Provides healthier food options to residents via gardens and organic grocery stores located within ZISPOA
- Serves as a model for what a sustainable city can look like and for how communities can be involved in sustainable activities
- Encouraged the adoption of solar panels, better recycling systems, bike riding, healthy food consumption and more throughout the city
