Rua do Porto waterfront: Piracicaba plans everything from a new walkway to a climbing wall The Court suspended part of the works on the revitalization project in the Rua do Porto region, one of the main tourist attractions in Piracicaba (SP). The decision, on an urgent basis, indicates the absence of an environmental license for intervention in a Permanent Preservation Area (APP) and an "unfavorable" technical prognosis. The measure covers work with a direct impact on soil and vegetation, such as excavation, opening trenches, moving earth, soil compaction, drainage, concreting, paving, cutting roots, pruning, transplanting and removing vegetation. The works are already the target of the Public Ministry (MP), which opened an investigation to investigate possible environmental, urban planning and administrative irregularities. To g1, the city hall confirmed that it was notified of the court decision, saying that it will analyze the content and present clarifications within the established deadline. The municipal administration highlighted that the procedures that were not highlighted will continue. 📲 Follow g1 Piracicaba on Instagram The project aims to renovate and requalify the Antônio Geraldin Worker's Leisure Area, on Avenida Jaime Pereira, with the construction of sports courts, walking tracks, protective fences and a new parking lot (read details below). In deciding to suspend the works, judge Mauricio Habice, from the 2nd Public Finance Court of Piracicaba, partially accepted a request made by the civil association Society for the Defense of the Environment of Piracicaba (Sodemap). According to the judge, the project does not have authorization from the competent environmental agencies due to the fact that a preliminary study regarding requalification is still being prepared. Furthermore, he highlights that a report carried out by a forestry engineer identified 33 trees in the work area, with 88% of them in good phytosanitary status. The judge also mentions that this document concluded that there is strong evidence that all the trees evaluated will be impacted by the projected paving. In the decision, Habice established a daily fine of R$10,000 for non-compliance. Project for Rua do Porto includes a metal pier, ecological wooden deck and Instagrammable space Reproduction/Piracicaba City Hall What the MP pointed out In addition to the socio-environmental impacts, one of the main differences pointed out by the Public Ministry is the rush to bid for projects without complying with the mandatory environmental and social participation steps. The investigation was opened after the MP accepted Sodemap's notes. The entity warns that the interventions planned by the city hall could cause severe impacts to a green floodplain area considered highly sensitive from an environmental, water and landscape point of view. "The Public Prosecutor's Office is opening this civil investigation [...] having investigated the Municipality of Piracicaba in order to investigate the facts narrated, in its circumstances, for subsequent filing, if applicable, of a public civil action, if there is no conclusion of a Conduct Adjustment Term in relation to irregularities that have not been adequately remedied and/or repaired, with possible archiving of the pieces of information", declared the MP. Walkway would connect Rua do Porto to the Workers' Leisure Area Reproduction/Piracicaba City Hall Million-dollar works in conservation area In the remodeling of the Workers' Leisure Area, the project includes the construction of sports courts, walking tracks, protective fences and a new parking lot for vehicles in a green area. The bidding for the lot was approved on March 9, 2026, with an expected investment of R$4.8 million. The municipality also opened a public tender for the contracting of the so-called “Passarela Estaiada”. The elevated pedestrian structure will cross Avenida Doutor Paulo de Moraes to connect the Leisure Area to Parque da Rua do Porto. This second project has an estimated cost of R$6.3 million, under the direction of the Department of Works, Infrastructure and Public Services. See below a summary of the topics mentioned in the ordinance: Environmental and Water Impacts: damage to Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) and green floodplain areas, considered sensitive from a water and landscaping point of view. Vegetation: need for suppression, transplantation or significant pruning of trees, in addition to the requirement for an updated tree inventory and environmental compensation plans. Soil: Assessment of the extent of waterproofing in areas close to APPs and potential impacts on the occurrence of floods in the region. Licensing: Investigation into the lack of environmental licenses, as the project is already in the bidding phase. Social Participation: supposed lack of public hearings and submission of the final project to public consultation, which would violate the principles of the city's democratic management Heritage: interference in listed areas or in the process of analysis by councils Food area on Rua do Porto would have wooden roof Reproduction/Piracicaba City Hall The project The project to revitalize the contour of Rua do Porto, in Piracicaba (SP), foresees changes from the vicinity of the shopping mall to Ponte do Caixão. The proposal went through a public hearing and received collaboration in a consultation before moving on to the technical detail phase. 🛣️ See the project point by point below. The idea is to implement a linear park. Along the route, there would be improvements and also new features, such as a walkway to the Worker Antônio Geraldin Leisure Area and a climbing wall. The park would have bicycle racks and pergolas for rest and contemplation. It would also have a cycle path and walking trail along its 8.5 km length. The project foresees segmented spaces. They are: pet space Physical activity space Environmental space Cultural tourist space Craftsman space Children's space Gastronomic space Sport space Project foresees climbing wall Reproduction/Piracicaba City Hall VIDEOS: Everything about Piracicaba and the region See more news on g1 Piracicaba