The Esplanada Liberdade project, which aims to revitalize the capital’s traditional oriental neighborhood, has begun to move forward after three decades of discussions. The initiative originated in 1995 with the approval of Law No. 11,867, authored by then city councilor and current Executive Director of Strategic Projects at SP Negócios, Aurélio Nomura, which created the so-called Boulevard Liberdade.

The initial proposal arose from a conversation between Nomura and then director of Empresa Municipal de Urbanização (now SP Urbanismo), Celso Matsuda, and envisioned the construction of a parking facility over the Radial Leste-Oeste expressway. The idea did not move forward due to economic infeasibility but returned to the agenda under different municipal administrations: it was revisited during the administration of former mayor Marta Suplicy, gained momentum during the government of Bruno Covas, and is now moving forward under Mayor Ricardo Nunes.

According to Nomura, the project has been presented at events such as the Festa da Cerejeira do Parque do Carmo, receiving broad and positive feedback. He states that the project will have a direct impact on strengthening the neighborhood’s identity, valuing oriental culture, and expanding the region’s tourism potential.

The expectation is that the company responsible for carrying out the project will be selected by the end of the year. Completion of the construction is expected three years after the start of the works.