The refurbishment of São Paulo’s Vale do Anhangabaú in 1991 transformed a fractured downtown area by creating an elevated pedestrian space, reconnecting city segments once severed by highways. Led by Rosa Grena Kliass and Jorge Wilheim, the competition-winning design heralded a new era for public civic space in Brazil during the country’s democratic transition.
Early Education and Influences
Born in São Roque in 1932 as Rosa Alembick, she moved to São Paulo in 1944. She enrolled at the University of São Paulo, graduating in 1955. During her final year, she studied under American landscape architect Roberto Coelho Cardozo, who introduced her to the practices of Lawrence Halprin, Thomas Church, and Garrett Eckbo. While refining her professional approach, she also gained practical experience within the office of Rino Levi.
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Kliass expanded the reach of her profession by establishing the Department of Parks and Green Areas in São Paulo alongside collaborator Miranda Magnoli. In 1976, she founded the Brazilian Association of Landscape Architects, serving as its president for five non-consecutive years between 1980 and 2000. Her commitment to the field extended to the International Federation of Landscape Architects, where she coordinated the 16th World Congress in Salvador.
Academic and Governmental Contributions
Beyond her design practice, Kliass pursued advanced studies in urban planning at the University of São Paulo, earning her Master's degree in 1989. This research culminated in her 1993 book, Urban Parks of São Paulo. Her career included teaching roles at Mackenzie University and the Catholic University of Paraná, alongside consultancy work for several governmental entities, such as the Metropolitan Agency for Housing and the Environmental Sanitation and Technology Company.
Professional Legacy
Her portfolio includes landscape master plans for Curitiba, Salvador, and São Luis do Maranhão, as well as the grounds for international airports in Brasília and Belém. Significant projects include the Parque da Juventude, the Mangal das Garças in Belém, and the Banhado Regional Park in São José dos Campos. In recognition of her career, she became the first woman to receive the Colar de Ouro from the Institute of Architects of Brazil in 2019.
Fast facts
- Born: 1932, São Roque, Brazil
- Education: University of São Paulo
- Primary Occupations: Architect, Landscape Architect
- Founded: Brazilian Association of Landscape Architects (1976)
- Notable Master Plans: São Paulo, Curitiba, Salvador, São Luis do Maranhão
- Award: Colar de Ouro, Institute of Architects of Brazil (2019)
Questions readers ask
What is Kliass's most recognized urban project?
Her most notable work is the 1991 renovation of the Vale do Anhangabaú in São Paulo, which created a large pedestrian space elevated above existing highway infrastructure.
Did Kliass influence urban policy in Brazil?
Yes, she served as Director of Planning for the Department of Planning in São Paulo and helped establish the city's Department of Parks and Green Areas.
Achievements
- Trained at University of São Paulo
