Comunidade do Pilar has a rich heritage and was founded in the 16th Century at the base of Salvador's geological fault, which divides the city into an upper and lower level.

The area requires intervention to improve the living conditions of the people who currently occupy it informally. Actions such as building restoration and developing sports/leisure facilities make Comunidade do Pilar ideal for innovative architectural and urban proposals that can come from a competition such as Students Reinventing Cities. 

The overarching objective is to repurpose this space, which is now physically degraded and socially stigmatized, by reconnecting this territory with its history and people. Thus, it is hoped that through this competition, real change will take place within the area.

Approx. site area:

• 12.93 ha.

Key information:

• 5.62 ha of the territory occupied by the Pilar Community is within a Special Zone of Social Interest (ZEIS-161 Pilar) with informal settlements and low-income residents, where 467 people live, making up to 174 families. 

Priority areas & main expectations: 

Students' proposals should redevelop the area and improve residents’ living conditions by:

• Restoring infrastructure to create mixed-use affordable housing.

• Improving recreational facilities.

• Ensuring activity mobility is accessible. 

• Boosting climate resilience through urban greening, nature-based solutions and clean energy.

I'm interested! What next?

• Team registration closed on 5 April 2024. Registered teams should now begin working on their projects! 
• The submission portal will open for entries at the end of April 2024. The deadline for teams to submit their projects is 20 June 2024.