In a ceremony with Lula, Governor Helder Barbalho delivers the Nova Doca, legacy of COP30 in Belém
With a large public space dedicated to leisure, sports, social interaction, and contact with nature, the project is one of the main legacies of the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change, which will be held in the capital of Pará in November
Governor Helder Barbalho, accompanied by Vice Governor Hana Ghassan, delivered the Nova Doca Linear Park on the evening of this Thursday (2), located on Avenida Visconde de Souza Franco, in the Reduto neighborhood of Belém. The ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and marked the opening of another structuring public space that integrates the legacy of the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 30). The park will be open to the public this Friday (3).
With a length of 1.2 kilometers and over 23,000 m² of revitalized area, the new urban space was designed to offer environments for leisure, sports practice, social interaction, and contact with nature. The project was executed by the State Department of Public Works (Seop), in partnership with the Federal Government, through Itaipu Binacional.
During the ceremony, Governor Helder Barbalho highlighted the symbolism of the delivery.
“We are delivering public spaces that are on par with any capital in the world. Prejudice has been overcome. Many people thought we would not be able to host this event and carry out the works. In less than two years, everything is ready or will be ready for when COP arrives, but above all, for the people of Pará to enjoy. And I would like to thank, on behalf of Vice Governor Hana, the entire team of the state government that made these works happen.”
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reinforced the transformative nature of the initiative.
“The world will get to know the cuisine of the state of Pará, people dancing and learning what carimbó is. France and the United States do not have a channel like this. They will be sure that we will become a source of pride for the world from this COP. When municipal, state, and federal governments work together, nothing can stop us.”
Vice Governor Hana Ghassan also emphasized the legacy aspect.
“It is not just about preparing Belém for two weeks of events. We are building a better city for the coming years, one that values culture, nature, and the well-being of the population.”
Modern and multifunctional space
The Nova Doca features diverse infrastructure, including bike paths, gardens, picnic and event areas, playgrounds with accessible equipment, outdoor gyms, basketball courts, kiosks with restrooms, bike racks, hammocks, pet areas, LED lighting, and sustainability equipment, such as solar panels for generating clean energy.
One of the attractions is the Water Ballet, featuring 64 illuminated jets and scheduled performances over 121 m², in addition to two automated water mirrors. The metal walkway with an observation deck, which connects the first blocks, creates new observation points and enhances the visual journey.
The landscaping included the planting of around 180 trees, promoting thermal comfort, shading, and reducing heat islands. The water treatment strategy includes wetlands – the so-called "filter gardens" – which use plants to improve the environmental quality of the canal.
The Minister of Cities, Jader Filho, highlighted the urban gains. “Today is a very special day for all of us. We have a different Belém, which is transforming into a better city thanks to these works. We still have challenges, but we have made great progress. These are works in partnership between the Federal Government and the State Government that make a difference in the lives of the people of Belém and Pará.”
The Mayor of Belém, Igor Normando, reinforced the impact of the project on the capital's image. “The city is a construction site, and this is only possible because we have a team that works together and turns dreams into reality. Belém is once again becoming the capital of the Amazon for Brazil and the world.”
The Brazilian General Director of Itaipu Binacional, Enio Verri, emphasized the importance of the partnership. "President Lula ends the invisibility of the people of the Amazon. Moments like COP show the world that Brazil is a model in what it does for the quality of its people, with a commitment to the planet and the population."
The Secretary of Public Works, Ruy Cabral, reinforced the local impact. “The population of Belém today receives a revitalized space for socializing and entertainment, which adds environmental and cultural values in a very frequented area of our capital. The Nova Doca is another important project within the urban organization and infrastructure that Belém is experiencing.”
Urban infrastructure and sustainability
The project also included the replacement of sluices for tide control and flood prevention, sanitation and drainage services to reduce flooding and irregular sewage, cleaning and reconstruction of the canal, and paving of 2.4 km of Avenida Visconde de Souza Franco.
Block 8 received a metallic structure in the shape of petals, equipped with solar panels that generate clean energy stored in batteries, used for charging cell phones and devices. The space symbolizes the commitment to innovation and sustainability, a hallmark of Belém's preparation for COP 30.
