Design activism in new scenarios for emerging cities: Two projects in Brazil

The current model of urban development in Brazilian cities presents many social challenges since people are losing public spaces to interact with each other and the natural biodiversity. This paper presents an exploratory analysis of design practices developed by two urban communities in Sao Paulo and Recife. These projects created temporary urban places, performative artefacts and interactive situations. This research aims at understanding how design activism generates opportunities for rivers as public spaces in Brazilian cities. Field data was collected through participant observations and qualitative interviews made to those who created and participated in these experiences. This paper shows design activism as a situated process and how its disruptive effects in the people’s perception generate sustainable everyday-life practices.