Curious about how a neighborhood can be born from a president’s name? That’s Cidade Dutra. It is a district in Sāo Paulo. Its story began in the mid 1930s.
Picture entrepreneurs led by Luís Romero Samson. They formed Auto Estrada S.A. Their goal? To link Sāo Paulo with Santo Amaro. Cidade Dutra was then part of Santo Amaro.
The “Projeto Interlagos” emerged. It included the construction of the avenues Washington Luís and Interlagos. Also the Congonhas Airport. It included the “Cidade Satélite de Interlagos”. This comprised a hotel, church, and racetrack. Areas were for residential, commercial, and industrial use.
Auto Estrada S/A negotiated land. They dealt with owners along the road. The road construction would benefit them. The company amassed considerable real estate. This became more valuable with their projects.
In 1949, Light and Power stepped in. They were the owners of the Billings and Guarapiranga dams. They acquired land from Auto Estradas S/A. Their aim was to house their employees. The Public Servants Retirement and Pensions Fund financed the construction.
On January 25, 1949, construction began. Five hundred planned houses started. By July 1, 1950, 437 houses were done. Employees of the Gas Company, Telephone Company and “Light” moved in. Also employees of Caixa moved in. The houses had paved streets, electricity, water and sewage.
At 4 PM on that day, authorities gathered. They inaugurated the Cidade Previdenciária Presidente Dutra. It was named after President Eurico Gaspar Dutra. Thus began the neighborhood. Later it became the district of Cidade Dutra.
Initially, the distance isolated the district. But bus lines were created. These led to the formation of other neighborhoods. Cidade Dutra became a development hub. It was then the extreme south of the South Zone. Other neighborhoods emerged. They were fruits of real estate speculation without urban planning. Commerce formed around bus stops. This created gathering points that expanded along main roads.
Today, Cidade Dutra is a large district. It is located in the south of Sāo Paulo. It has a population of over 182,000. It covers an area of approximately 29 square kilometers.
The Autódromo José Carlos Pace is located here. It is also known as Autódromo de Interlagos. Since 1989, it has hosted the Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix. It also hosts other motorsport competitions. The district borders Pedreira, Grajaú and other districts.
Cidade Dutra has two train stations. They are the Autódromo Station and the Primavera-Interlagos Station. SESC Interlagos is also in the district. It is a leisure area with courts and pools.
Interestingly, Cidade Dutra celebrates its anniversary. It is officially celebrated on January 24. This is despite its historical founding date.
So next time you think of Cidade Dutra. Remember its planned beginnings. Think of its growth from a company town. It’s more than just a district. It is a testament to Sāo Paulo’s dynamic history.