A groundbreaking urban regeneration project in Belém, Brazil, has successfully transformed a neglected waterway into a vibrant public space that reconnects the city with its historic aquatic identity. The Doca Linear Park, designed by Natureza Urbana and completed in 2022, spans 40,080 square meters along what was once the Igarapé das Almas, now functioning as a canal stretching approximately 1.2 kilometers through the central median of Avenida Visconde de Sousa Franco.

The architectural firm Natureza Urbana, led by architects Manoela Machado and Pedro Lira, conceived this project as a strategic urban intervention that masterfully combines infrastructure development, landscape architecture, and historical preservation. The design team, which included Camila Reis, Julia Ximenes, Giulia Corsi, Claudia Jaegerman, Nicollas Rangel, Juliana Santos, Luan Neske, and Yan Azevedo, worked collaboratively to create a space that honors the region's water-centric heritage while serving contemporary urban needs.

According to the architects' project description, the regeneration initiative arose from a recognition that Belém's historic relationship with water had been systematically buried under decades of fragmented and purely functional urban development. The Reduto basin, which historically structured the city's hydric identity throughout its development, had become disconnected from daily urban life through conventional urbanization processes that prioritized efficiency over cultural and environmental continuity.

The project's technical execution involved extensive collaboration with specialized engineering firms to ensure both structural integrity and environmental sustainability. Geasa Engenharia handled the complex vegetation and drainage design systems, while Marcello Sanguinetti Estruturas provided structural engineering expertise. Vallenge Engenharia contributed complementary project elements that enhanced the park's functionality and accessibility for diverse user groups.

Located in the heart of Belém do Pará, the linear park serves as more than just a recreational space; it functions as a symbolic and practical bridge between the city's past and future. The design strategically enhances public spaces while addressing infrastructure needs, creating a multifunctional environment that supports both ecological restoration and community engagement. The park's linear configuration follows the natural flow of the former waterway, creating intuitive pathways that guide visitors through different zones of activity and contemplation.

The project represents a significant achievement in contemporary urban planning, demonstrating how thoughtful design can simultaneously address multiple urban challenges including public space scarcity, environmental degradation, and cultural disconnection. By recapturing and celebrating the area's hydric identity, the Doca Linear Park establishes a new model for urban regeneration that other cities facing similar challenges of waterway restoration and public space development can potentially adapt and implement.