In 2016, then-mayor of São Paulo João Doria announced a renovation project for Largo do Arouche, dubbed "Little Paris." The name refers to the square's French-inspired urban design and seeks to erase the memory of what can be considered one of the city's first LGBT+ territories. The project by the Franco-Brazilian firm Triptyque reinforces this narrative by failing to engage in a broad dialogue with the local community.
A year later, the Front for the Protection of Diversity and for the Reform of Arouche (FPDAR)—comprising dozens of collectives, political offices, and social movement leaders from across the political spectrum—launched its manifesto advocating for a project that honors LGBT+ memory and usage. This is especially vital for the most vulnerable populations, such as Black, low-income, and peripheral trans and travesti individuals who find a space of identity, safety, and joy there.
Now, two years later, with construction underway (though currently stalled for reasons including its contradiction of the CONDEPHAAT technical report that rejected the submitted project), we are once again facilitating a dialogue with all those interested in discussing the future of Largo do Arouche. Our goal is to envision a popular, participatory project that stands against the rapid gentrification currently taking place in downtown São Paulo.
