Rua da Carioca: urban preservation and social participation (Rio de Janeiro, 1960-1980)

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the preservation of the Carioca Street from the 1960s to the 1980s in the context of the preservation of downtown Rio de Janeiro, considering the role of Corredor Cultural Project, State Institute of Cultural Heritage, and the efforts from the society in the attempt to protect the street's buildings. The wave of urban renewal in the area led to constant demolitions over the 20th century, such as the devastations of the hills of Castelo and Santo Antônio and the opening of Central and Presidente Vargas avenues. The project of the North-South Avenue (1949), which would require the demolition of several buildings from Carioca Street, led to social mobilization towards the street’s preservation and the organization of Society of Friends of Rua da Carioca and Adjacencies in 1978 by the street’s businessmen. In this period, the social movements had an important role in pressuring the public power into the preservation of urban identity and quality of life of portions of the city. The Carioca Street was legally protected in 1983 and it has become an important landmark of urban struggles. This project seeks to understand the history of preservation policies on Carioca Street, from social mobilization to strategies of restoration for its buildings after legal protection.