Brazil's economic boom has revitalized the five-block Rua Augusta and turned it into a "cultural blast furnace," writes Vincent Bevins for the Los Angeles Times.
Bars, large crowds, and the contemporary music like punk and hip hop have in five years turned Rua Agusta into a renaissance similar to the Sunset Strip, writes Bevins.
"Along a short stretch of the "lower Augusta" strip, there are more than 70 bars and clubs, including at least 10 for live music. On most nights, crowds make it difficult for pedestrians to pass through without stepping off the sidewalk. And almost without exception, in none of the establishments will you find traditional Brazilian music. The scenes are dominated by local takes on punk, hip-hop, metal, indie rock and dance music."
While Rua Augusta avoided the messy effects of gentrification, the wealthy party here as well.
"Glitzy television programs throw parties on the street. When international buzz bands come through, they usually play on Augusta. (Ale Yousseff, former youth coordinator in the mayor's office), says the price of a ticket is often five times more than what it would be in the U.S."
"Yousseff compared the street's transformation to that of East London or Brooklyn in past decades, but the most apt comparison may be to Sunset Boulevard in its mythical days. Live music is key."
FULL STORY: A hip street in Sao Paulo, Brazil, moves to a different beat
To Revitalize Downtowns, Cities Create Designated ‘Drinking Zones’
Mirroring New Orleans’ French Quarter or the Las Vegas Strip, some cities are experimenting with loosening open container laws in certain commercial areas.
The World's Worst COVID Outbreak
Brazil has surpassed the U.S. and led the world in the daily average of COVID-19 deaths and coronavirus infections during the last week. Experts point to a coronavirus variant and the lack of a federal strategy, leaving states without assistance.
Coronavirus Wastewater Testing Yields Positive Results at Universities
Wastewater testing is being hailed as a success at the University of Arizona, credited for stopping a COVID outbreak. In Utah, wastewater analysis forced almost 300 students to quarantine for four days while awaiting their test results.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie