Goiânia, The green City – Brazil

Goiânia is the capital of the State Goiás, is one of the cities with the best quality of life index in Brazil The Brazilian municipality with the largest green area per inhabitant (94 m2), the city stand out for implementing an urban development model allied to a consistent policy of environmental responsibility . Goiânia was founded at 24th October 1933 and have now a population of more than 1,6 million people. The Saint patron of the City is “Our Lady of the Help” and the Slogan is: ” For the greatness of the fatherland”.

The History start with the State Decree No. 3359 on 18th May 1933, determined the choice of the region along the banks of the Botafogo stream, compressing the Crimeia, Vaca Brava and Botafogo farms, in the municipality of Campinas, for the of the new capital of Goiás. At 24th October 1933 in place defined by the engineer, architect, urban planner and landscape architect Attilio Corrêa Lima, responsinle for the Urban project of the new capital, Pedro Ludovico laid the cornerstone of Goiânia. The date was choosen to honor the three years of the 1930 revolution.

According to historical accounts, the name suggest for the new capital of Goiás would been “Petrônia” in honor of his founder Petro Ludovico, but he choose the name “Goiânia” with decree of 2nd August 1935.

Initially built for 50 thousand inhabitants, Goiânia experienced a moderate growth until 1955. However, due to a series of factors, such as the arrival of the railroad in 1951, the retaking of the interiorization policy of Getúlio Vargas (the revolution Leader of 1930) from 1951 to 1954, the inauguration of the Rock Power Plant in 1955 and the construction of the city Brasilia from 1954 to 1960. About 150 thousand people already in habit the new capital in 1965. From the 1960`s alone, Goiânia gained about 125 new neighborhoods and all this required more infrastructure, energy, transport and schools.

For Goiânia to hold the title of Brazilian capital with the best quality of life, by Brazil Americs Institute, was not by chance. One of the initiatives of Goiânias City Hall that helped to confirm this recognition was the intense investment in the implementation of conservation units, beside the preservation of green areas. According to the Urban Tree Planting Master Plan, Goiânia is the Brazilian capital that has the largest number of square meters of green areas per inhabitant. According to the survey of the Municipal Environment Agency, Goiânia has 94 square meters of green areas for each citizen. The City is with this on place two world wide, only Edmonton (Canada) is with 100 square meters better in this category.

Goiânia is considered one of the safest cities in Brazil and you will not find any slums there. Of course, there are simpler areas in this city, but the danger of a mugging as it could happen in Rio de Janeiro or a knife attack are very rare. You will feel very safe on the streets. Due to the concentration on the industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, textile and health industry/ beauty industry, the necessary small change is available to be flown around by helicopter to the doctor or to his farm.

Photos & Text: Rainer Georgius