In Fortaleza, Brazil, small but powerful urban interventions are multiplying. In neighbourhoods that are hot, crowded, and short on green space, the city is building micro parks made of natural materials and supporting young children, families and communities to flourish.
Fortaleza’s inspiring story is part of the Transforming Cities series presented by C40 Cities. This film was produced for the Van Leer Foundation by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions. It shows how cities can face climate change by putting children and families at the centre of their solutions.
Climate action that begins with children
Fortaleza is a city where “you can feel a stifling heat that just doesn’t go away”. Especially in low-income areas where shade, trees and green spaces are too often out of reach. Rather than starting with big construction or expensive technology, Fortaleza began with a simple idea: give children nature to grow up with. These micro parks are small, low-cost, and full of life. They cool the area around them, help soak up rain, and turn hard, grey spaces into places where families can breathe, rest, and connect.
The parks are made using natural and reused materials such as logs from city tree pruning, sand, plants, and wood. There are no plastic slides or bright colours. Instead, the parks look like small patches of forest. They’re playful but they also feel calm, safe, full of nature – something that is very important in Brazilian culture.
Children love exploring them. Parents and caregivers get a break. Neighbours gather and talk. As Fabiana, a local mother said in the BBC film, “It’s not just a park—it changed how we live together.”
Nature that belongs to local communities
One of the reasons these parks work so well is because they’re designed by the people who use them. The city invites local families to share their ideas, help shape the design, and be part of the building process. This creates a real sense of ownership and pride.
Nature matters. For babies learning to walk. For parents who need a place to rest. For communities facing the heat of climate change. When we make cities better for children, we make them better for everyone.
Fortaleza is one of many Brazilian cities in the Urban95 network, supported by the Van Leer Foundation, that are finding new ways to support families and young children in the places where they live.
For mayors, urban planners, and anyone who wants to bring more nature and joy into urban spaces, see this practical guide.
