Initiatives to improve traffic and quality of life in this part of Porto Alegre
Images: Camila Cunha
In an effort to bring benefits to the community of Porto Alegre in an important part of Avenida Ipiranga, PUCRS delivered a number of important initiatives to the community on Aug 16. The University has built a bridge over by the Science and Technology Museum to facilitate the life of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Another initiative was the revitalization of an area of 11,000m2 on Ipiranga Avenue between Terceira Perimetral (Av. Doutor Salvador França) and Rua Professor Cristiano Fischer. The landscape has been remodeled, street furniture has been renewed and artistic interventions have been introduced to promote safety and quality of life in the region. Overall, the institution invested BRL 2,6 million.
“The University is a human organization of social and community nature. It is more than a place of instruction; it is a place where everyone can learn: students, faculty, staff, researchers, and all the people who somehow benefit from our actions and services, who somehow benefit from our existence. These initiatives shows that the University is still a privileged place to build a better society. It shows that what we do should have a positive impact on the development and transformation of both its surroundings and its local community,” Br. Dr Evilázio Teixeira says.
In his speech, the mayor of Porto Alegre, Nelson Marchezan, commended how fast the bridge was built and delivered to society. “On top of that, the green areas around PUCRS have a different symbolism. The University is taking the responsibility to take care of a very large area the local government should be taking care of. Also, the educational totems and artistic interventions show the innovative character of the university, ”he adds. Marchezan also made mention of the partnerships between PUCRS and the Municipal Government of Porto Alegre, such as the Pacto Alegre (city’s movement of transformation), through the Alliance for Innovation , as well as several health care projects.
Traffic improvements
The 26.5m long and 13.6m wide bridge has three lanes, a bike lane and a walkway as well as traffic signs and lights. The new bridge opened for traffic on Friday morning.
Today, an excess of 55,000 vehicles per day travel around this part of Avenida Ipiranga, in both directions, according to data from the local transit authority (EPTC). “These changes will also facilitate the traffic on Rua Professor Cristiano Fischer, where a large number of cars travel to an from each day,” Hélio Giaretta, PUCRS’ Infrastructure Manager says.
In a second stage, which is scheduled to be completed in the first semester of 2020, the bridge will connect drivers to the Health Campus of PUCRS. This Campus is set to be remodeled and new services are to be offered. Drivers will now use different lanes to access the parking lot as the number of lanes has increased. Because of that, the new entrance will make it easier for drivers to get to São Lucas Hospital (especially the ER) and to the Brain Institute, for instance.
Complementary green areas
PUCRS has joined the Municipal Government’s pioneering program for adoption of complementary green areas. In an area as large as 11,000m2, the University is making its meaningful contribution to this important part of the city that continues to expand. The maintenance of green areas and the conservation of space are also attributions of the University.
PUCRS has implemented landscape changes to this area. For instance, it has grown some of the plants are are seen in the gardens of the University. The bike lane is bike-friendly as it now has spaces for bikers to rest. It also has educational totems to facilitate the life of bikers and passers-by in the area, ensuring safety and quality of life. It is also worth mentioning the artistic intervention of former Architecture major of PUCRS Suyê Zucchetti, who will paint 35 streetlights until the end of August. Her art is heavily inspired by the nature and urban life. She began painting last Monday to contribute to the community’s relationship with the city’s roads.
