RE-FARMING: the construction of a productive landscape in Recife - B.Arch final thesis
Author: Kilda Oliveira / Advisor: Ana Rolim
Catholic University of Pernambuco (UNICAP), Brazil
This urban design proposal is situated within the ‘Expanded Continental Center’ in Recife, NE Brazil, addressing a prevalent issue in contemporary Brazilian cities where private properties often isolate themselves from public spaces, reflecting the individualist nature of capitalist societies.
In contrast, inspired by various social movements advocating for a more collective urban environment, we embrace the concept of ‘Refarming,’ as articulated in Gilberto Gil’s 1975 song, to foster a closer human-nature relationship. Although geographically linked to the Capibaribe River, Recife has experienced significant changes in its land-water balance since the mid-20th century.
Drawing upon the principles of Continuous Productive Urban Landscape (CPUL) by Bohn & Viljoen (2005) and Augmented Landscapes by Smout Allen (2007), our proposal aims to revive the presence of the river and reimagine the city through urban refarming initiatives.
Avocado tree
We will accept your act
We are also from the bushes
Like the duck and the lion
We will wait
We will play in the stream
Until they bring us fruit
Your love, your heart
(Gilberto Gil, 1975)
 Overall design and proposed guidelines |  The site: a view from 1940s, the proposal's site and the four typical morphological conditions (underutilized and inner block lots, existing public spaces and waterfront) |  Collecting and mapping physical memories from the site |
|---|---|---|
 The water-land ratio in the city of Recife transformed over the 20th century. |  Overlapping contrasting scenarios: the water-land relationship in 1909 and nowadays |  Main design vectors |
 Proposed zoning per agricultural planting |  Physical model: overall view of proposal |  Infiltrating water into the urban fabric |
 Occupying inner blocks with productive greenery and water |  Activating the waterfront |  Improving existing public spaces, such as the church patio |
 Physical model: detail of main axis and inner block occupation |