Parque da Gare

The town council of Passo Fundo, in Brazil, put together a team of architects and engineers to reactivate an abandoned urban site, renovating it with a park, a farmer’s market and a library.

The Parque da Gare, created in the 80s, is located next to an old railway station in the centre of the city of Passo Fundo. Due to its semi-abandoned state, the council started a project for its comprehensive urban and landscape revitalization, keeping some historical and natural aspects, with a new design for the park and new infrastructures.

The renovation project includes the new farmer’s market, which took over the one that had been running on the plot of the old station, a restaurant with an information desk and a small outdoor bar, a bathing and maintenance area and, lastly, a multipurpose library area located in the lowest part of the park, next to the lake, fully integrated into the design.

The urban area is designed so as to generate coexistence and contemplation. The urban intervention differentiates the inside of the park, with concrete used for paving and regional stone, creating a link between the city and the new park. Plus, several retaining walls, bridges, footbridges and buildings were erected in order to overcome some barriers, derived from the complex topography.

The landscape design is based on using autochthonous species, chosen according to their size, colour and functions. The Farmer’s Market is set in an area with a considerable slope, with a four meters level difference made accessible through stairs and ramps.