“What does the future of urban living look like?” That question simmers at the heart of the Instituto das Cidades, Campus Zona Leste, Unifesp. Inaugurated on July 1 2016 the campus is more than just classrooms. It is a hub of ideas. It is a testament to community action.
The Instituto das Cidades, Campus Zona Leste, Unifesp arose from the dreams of local movements. These movements envisioned a public university serving over 4.5 million residents. Their activism pushed for educational access. They fought for a Universidade do Trabalhador. This vision found its home here shaping the campus’s very foundation.
The creation of the Instituto das Cidades involved much debate. A commission chose “cities” as a central theme. This theme connected courses absent from other Unifesp campuses. By the end of 2013, consensus formed. The Campus Zona Leste would host the Instituto das Cidades.
In 2014, the Instituto’s project was presented. Experts and social movement representatives confirmed its importance. They also confirmed its innovative nature. The project received unanimous approval soon after. The Ministry of Education endorsed the project. They ratified the relevance of its theme. They also ratified the proposed interdisciplinary teaching model.
The Instituto das Cidades, Campus Zona Leste, Unifesp extends beyond academics. It embraces community engagement. A highlight is the teacher training course. This course serves public school teachers from municipal and state networks. Other activities include Citizenship Schools. There is also the Public Policy Observatory. The East Zone Memory Center preserves local history. The Socio-Cultural Training Center enriches lives.
Originally the Instituto das Cidades planned to offer five undergraduate courses. These included public administration, architecture, and urbanism. There was also environmental and sanitary engineering. Civil engineering and geography rounded out the offerings. These courses focus on urbanization. They examine mobility and sustainability issues. Currently the Instituto das Cidades offers courses in Geography.
Today the Instituto das Cidades, Campus Zona Leste, Unifesp boasts a reformed building. Inside you will find classrooms and a computer lab. There is also a library and faculty offices. Research group spaces also fill the building. A dedicated faculty of 15 doctoral professors drive its mission. They offer a postgraduate course in Cities. It covers Urban Planning and Popular Participation. They established a master’s program. It focuses on interdisciplinary Urban and Regional Planning. Various university extension initiatives and research groups thrive here. Multicampus elective curricular units enrich the academic environment.
In October 2019, the University Council approved undergraduate activities. Geography courses began in March 2020.
In June, an investment of R$ 5.5 billion was announced. It aims to consolidate and expand federal universities. It will also support university hospitals.
The foundation stone for a new campus building was laid. The ceremony took place on the grounds where the Geography course has been running since 2020. Plans are underway to create new courses. Architecture and Urbanism, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, and Environmental and Sanitary Engineering will be added. In the first phase, Mobility and Transport Engineering, Design, and Tourism will follow.
Raiane Assumpção, rector of Unifesp, emphasized the university’s commitment. It aims to address public policies. It wants to promote justice and democracy. It also seeks quality education.
The Instituto das Cidades, Campus Zona Leste, Unifesp stands as a symbol. It embodies the power of collective action. It is a beacon of hope. It provides transformative education for the Zona Leste. Here the future of cities is not just studied. It is actively shaped.