Brasilia’s new soccer stadium, the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia Mane Garrincha, is on track to become the world’s first LEED Platinum-certified FIFA World Cup arena. It's also seen as a symbol of the country's over-investment in sporting events.
Castro Mello Architects rebuilt the stadium with support from The Cadmus Group, a Massachusetts firm specializing in LEED consulting, and EcoArenas.
The arena’s balconies and columns recall Oscar Niemeyer’s designs for the Brazilian capital. Energy-saving features include LED lighting, water-reducing plumbing fixtures, and a system for harvesting rainwater. Mane Garrincha’s facade was designed to facilitate ventilation and cut down on air-conditioning costs.
But while many in the design world have applauded Brasilia’s efforts to build one the world’s greenest stadium, Erin McHugh writes, not everyone is happy with the initiative. Recent protests reflect discontent with the Brazilian government’s decision to spend money preparing for major sporting events, like the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, while so many of its citizens are living in poverty.
FULL STORY: Green World Cup Venue Opens in Brazil
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.
Brazil's World Cup Legacy Falls Short of its Billing
Evidence is building up that the Brazil's extravagant spending on the World Cup soccer championships last year won’t have the last positive impacts promised by government officials. Next up for Brazil: the Olympics.
Brazil's Insight on Climate Change Adaption
A new report from the World Resources Institute illustrates how Brazil is preparing its cities to deal with climate change.
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.
Research: Walkability Linked to Improved Public Health
A study reveals that the density of city blocks is a significant factor in communities’ walkability and, subsequently, improved public health outcomes for residents.
Report Outlines Strategies for Resilient Wildfire Recovery in LA
Project Recovery offers a roadmap for rebuilding more sustainable and climate-resilient communities after wildfires and other disasters.
New Executive Order Renews Attack on Public Lands
An order issued late last week pushes for increased mineral extraction on federally owned public lands.
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.
Florida Atlantic University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Piedmont, CA
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland