What a shame! Sao Paulo is not behaving well during the World Car-Free Day 2011

São Paulo - Diego Ramos at 9 am: That's just one of the several photos I could take during my bus ride this morning, near Minhocão. The streets were full of cars, showing how much people care about environment. 

It is currently very sunny (midday) and it is worse! No excuses... Something has to be done! Don't miss the march for the sustainable mobility plan of São Paulo this Saturday. Check it out!

Related topics: 

• São Paulo will participate of the World Car-Free Day for the 6th consecutive year on September 22nd
• Moving Planet: march for the sustainable mobility plan of Sao Paulo. September 24th

Space Invaders are taking over the city!

Space Invaders at the corner of Inácio Pereira da Rocha and Deputado Lacerda Franco streets

The above action on the wall was made by the French artist who uses the nickname Space Invaders. He has spread his "invaders" in Paris, New York, London and several cities. He came to São Paulo to participate of the Inside Out/Outside In exhibition available at MASP, and decided to spread his signature in town.

The cybernetic monsters - inspired in one of the first games ever released, the Space Invaders - were made of colored tiles.

[source: estadao]

São Paulo will participate of the World Car-Free Day for the 6th consecutive year on September 22nd

Sao Paulo World Car Free Day 2010 [photo: kenjikatahira]

World Car Free Day

The event encourages motorists to give up their cars for one day. This event happens every year on the same day.

Last year 2,221 cities joined the initiative. However, in 2011 the number of cities subscribed dropped to 2,017. In other words, 9% fewer cities are involved.

Government
The CET (Traffic Engineering Company) won't organize any change regarding the traffic flow during the Car Free Day. Last year, the 9/22 did not affect the population. The level of traffic was the same a on an average day.

The only change will be offered by SPTrans (the government company responsible for public transportation). The group promises to increase the number of buses during rush hours in an attempt to help with the efforts.

What will happen in Sao Paulo
A series of free activities are planned for this event. Check out:
September 22nd (Thursday): from 7:30am till 10am, the Associação Ciclocidade will offer a collective breakfast at Praça do Ciclista for those who arrive riding a bicycle.
At 7pm at the Campo do Astro, the film "O Caminho das Nuvens" (2003) by Vicente Amorim will be shown.

September 23rd and 24th (Friday and Saturday): the Museu da Imagem e do Som (MIS) will show short films about transportation and the environment. Among them is "Entre Rios" by Caio Ferraz Silva,which tells the story of São Paulo and the city's waterways.

September 25th (Sunday): there will be a bicycle exchange fair at Espaço Urucum.

Katy Perry will be on the stage this weekend in Sao Paulo. September 25

The singer plays two concerts in Brazil. On friday Katy opens the Rock in Rio, together with Rihanna and Elton John, and two days later, she will be on the stage in Sao Paulo for The California Dreams Tour 2011, at Chácara do Jockey.

Service
What: Katy Perry Concert
Where: Chácara do Jockey
When: September 25, at 8 pm. The gates open at 5 pm.
Price: from R$ 200 to R$ 450
Phone: +55 (11) 3144-9999
Website: www.livepass.com.br

Moving Planet: march for the sustainable mobility plan of Sao Paulo. September 24th

According to the transport department of the city, São Paulo has a budget of R$ 15 million for this year to make a mobility plan and it has not started yet! The organizers of the march want to participate in the development of a mobility plan to give back the city to its citizens, covering: transport quality, fair ticket prices, 24/7 public transport service, highlighting a non-motorized accessibility and they also want protect citizenship. Watch the video (English subtitles)!

Service
What: Moving Planet event
Where: MASP - Avenida Paulista, 1578
When: September 24, at 3 pm under the MASP freestanding space. Departure expected to 4pm. It will be a 2.9 km route passing through MASP (Avenida Paulista, 1578) - Praça do Ciclista - Rua da Consolação - Matilha Cultural (Rua Rêgo Freitas, 542).
Price: For free
What to bring: banners, posters, bicycles, skates, skateboard, friends, family, pets, sunscreen, umbrella (who knows...).
Website: www.moving-planet.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=256140657741343 (click and say you are in)

Rhinoceros will be around the city

Rhino designed by Serjão Augusto

From tomorrow (September 20), the streets of Sao Paulo and 11 other Brazilian cities will be overrun by colored rhinos. It's all part of the "Rhino Mania" open air exhibition, which will bring 60 pieces created by local artists that will later be on display at the state capital.

Among the artists who decorate the pieces are: Gabriel Gombossy, Alexandra Magrini, Binho Martins, Loro Verz and Luciana Assumpção. After the exhibition, the rhinos will be auctioned and the money will be given to institutions engaged in environmental education and wildlife preservation.

Why?

The impact that Rhinos cause in the streets and the area that the body of a rhinoceros offers to artists perform their art, and because it is an endangered species. These animals are weak even though they are strong.

Service
What: Rino Mania São Paulo 2001
Where: All over the city.
When:September 20 to October 20
Website: www.rinomania.com.br/

The city registered the biggest public ever in the 5th Virada Esportiva of São Paulo

The Brazilian boxer Popó, practicing in the metro station in São Paulo

According to the Municipality of São Paulo, about 3.5 million people have participated of the 5th Virada Esportiva. It was a record crowd. There were a thousand meeting points throughout the city and around 2,500 free activities across Sao Paulo. This represents a 40% increase when compared to 2010.

The city's mayor, Gilberto Kassab, said the weather was responsible for the success of the event.

The event can still be improved. For future events, the city could invest more in event publicity, and also in making more equipment available to serve the population. Some places have received many participants and people had to wait in lines for almost an hour.

Changes and improvements will be evaluated by the city's secretary of sports, Bebeto Haddad.

[source: estadao]