New app promotes sustainable tourism in Rio around the Olympic Games
Stage for local musicians, walking tour mapped by kids from nearby schools and renovation of historic stairway among initiatives
Rio de Janeiro will offer visitors much more besides the Games (Photo: Getty Images/Matthew Stockman)
Encouraging social cohesion, providing opportunities for the local economy and promoting sustainable tourism. These are the aims of the “Eu Cuido do Meu Destino” (I Take Care of My Destination) programme, launched in conjunction with Cisco, the Rio 2016 Sustainability programme and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The initiative includes three urban intervention projects in the rejuvenated Porto Maravilha district of Rio de Janeiro: the installation of a stage, to be used by local musicians, in the Praça dos Estivadores; the creation of a walking tour in the historic hillside neighbourhood of Morro da Conceição, mapped out by pupils from three schools in the area; and the renovation of the Conceição stairway, including the creation of artistic mosaics.
One of the tools being used to coordinate this social action is the smartphone app “Eu Cuido” (I Take Care), which will provide details on the projects’ progress, where they are taking place and how people can get involved. Workshops and events have also been planned and will include the participation of local residents invited to transform these public places. There is more information available on the the Green Passport website.
The first event takes place on 10 July in the Praça dos Estivadores, with the inauguration of the stage and a show featuring carnival group Afoxé Filhos de Gandhi. On 13 August in Morro da Conceição the pupils’ walking tour will be launched. And the 11 September will see the inauguration of the Conceição stairway.
