​Changes in the guidelines for listing Jardins reduces the protection of neighborhoods and threatens the greenery

The decision of last December 16th by the Council for the Defense of Historical, Archaeological, Artistic and Tourist Heritage (Condephaat) of São Paulo, approved new listing guidelines for the Gardens, which has generated great concern among residents and preservation experts. The organization's vice-president Mariana Rolim announced the controversial decision. The measure, which allows the construction of horizontal condominiums by eliminating the mention of single-family residential uses, represents a serious threat to historic properties and quality of life, as the green lung and permeability of the soil, with many grassy areas, are important for the entire the capital, especially in times of climate crisis. AME Jardins protested and announced that it will appeal the decision, claiming that Condephaat tramples on the will of 90% of residents, in an undemocratic situation and approving the resolution a week before Christmas, making broader debate difficult.

Impacts on historic properties
The changes, which still depend on approval by the Secretary of Culture, are seen as an “end of year coup” against the architectural and cultural heritage of the Gardens. The area could suffer irreparable damage. The relaxation of construction and use rules opens up space for unbridled urbanization, unprecedented densification, favoring real estate interests to the detriment of historical environmental preservation.

Accusations against Condephaat and Carlos Faggin
The situation is worsened by the recent accusations of administrative improbity against Carlos Augusto Mattei Faggin, president of Condephaat. Faggin was convicted of having contributed to the demolition and demolition of a historic mansion in Guarulhos, demonstrating a history of decisions that benefit private interests rather than the public good. This conviction casts a shadow over the integrity of the Council's current decisions. And more: Faggin, when president of the Butantan Institute Foundation, was one of those allegedly responsible for the deforestation of more than 2 thousand trees in the area, with the approval of the institution's Master Plan.

Threat to quality of life
In addition to the risk to historical heritage, the change in the Jardins' listing guidelines is expected to have a negative impact on residents' quality of life. The Jardins region, which includes the Jardins América, Europa, Paulista and Paulistano neighborhoods, is one of the greenest and most peaceful areas in the city. The relaxation of current rules should, in a short space of time, reduce green areas, make the soil more impermeable and drastically change the profile of the community. In an interview with SPTV, Fernando de Sampaio Barros, president of the AME Jardins Residents Association, stated that he will appeal Condephaat's decision, pointing out “an action that is not at all democratic”. He also recalled the importance of Jardins in the city, as they are neighborhoods “ sponges”, which were also listed due to their importance in absorbing the water that falls from the Avenida Paulista groyne and goes into the Pinheiros River. The waterproofing that will occur with the decision will be carried out. further worsen flooding and flooding in neighborhoods.
For Anderson Kazuo Nakano, professor at the Institute of Cities at USP, the zoning of the 1920/30 era has to be put into discussion so that the use and occupation of the Gardens does not change the environmental characteristics and urban form, which has a large supply and importance of green areas in the expanded city center.

Pressures and interests
Condephaat's decision is heavily criticized for being influenced by lobbying from developers. These companies, motivated by profit, press for changes that favor real estate speculation, ignoring environmental and social impacts. By leaving the question of uses to the municipality, the door is once and for all opened to the mischaracterization of the Gardens.