Pra a Tiradentes, in Rio de Janeiro, a neighborhood of historic buildings that its promoters say could become another New York Soho. Investment projects will include restoration of monuments, improvement of streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and provision of incentives to building owners to repair their structures. A series of experimental activities will also be carried out to promote investment by private firms and enlist the participation of local residents and nongovernmental organizations. The program will also include training for artisans, cultural and tourism agents, and for instructors in related fields. Educational activities will include television campaigns, videos for schools and the production of documentaries.
Brazil has a wealth of historic sites with an enormous potential cultural and economic value.
But of the some 800 sites recognized as historically significant, only 20 percent are in good condition. Some 40 percent are in poor condition, and 10 percent are in ruins. In a great many cases, buildings were allowed to deteriorate because they no longer serve a purpose that justifies their maintenance and the preservation of their historic and artistic features. For example, a city of 100,000 persons no longer needs 50 churches. Other reasons are the inability of the public sector to care for the buildings and the lack of contractors and artisans skilled in working with historic buildings.