On the 9th May, representatives of the 'Re-inhabiting the City' team across the University of Nottingham, University of Birmingham and Universidade de São Paulo have visited the area of Luz, in São Paulo, Brazil. The team was able to get to know the area and understand the challenges Luz faces.

In the Luz area, the team also visited the Mungunza Container Theatre, which is a theatre company that offers artistic and educational activities to the local community. The Theatre was built in a public plot of the city and through a collaboration with the public authorities, the organisation was able to re-occupy a previous cut, deprived and vacant area of Luz. More information about the Mungunza Container Theatre can be found at: www.ciamungunza.com.br/conteiners.

On the 8th and 9th May 2018, the 'Re-inhabiting the City' team participated of the 12th International Seminar of Technology and Innovation in Architecture and Urbanism - Future Perspectives, in the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism (FAU), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), in Brazil. 
Prof Peter Kraftl, Dr Lauren Andres from University of Birmingham and Dr Nicole Porter from the University of Nottingham contributed to an stimulating discussion about their research topics.

Our team of researchers visited a variety of different case studies of temporary urbanism and re-occupation of underused buildings and open spaces in the city of London, UK on the 2nd February. The visit allowed the team to real experience successful initiatives taken in the UK to promote the re-use of the urban spaces, bringing new life to these locations. 

Re-inhabiting the City team @ Brixton - Loughborough Junction Arches ​- The Platform Project
Vacant building spaces under the arches owned by the Network Rail have been given temporarily to the Meanwhile enterprise in order to allow budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop new businesses, to learn new skills at the same time reoccupying these underused spaces.

​Re-inhabiting the City team @ Pop Brixton
Pop Brixton is an example of temporary urbanism. The project has turned an underused car park into a pioneering space for shops, co-working and community events. ​

Re-inhabiting the City team @ Tower Bridge
The Team London Bridge works on the London Bridge area promoting an enhanced street scene through extra cleaning and greening initiatives, public realm upgrades, place making, improved signage and planning and development communications (Examples include ​Fresh Air Squares, ​Gibbons Rent, ​Greenwood Theatre).

Re-inhabiting the City team @ Shoreditch
​This area has recently experienced gentrification driven by its cultural and art aspect. Shoreditch evidences a mix of converted/new buildings, with arts being a strong driver from regeneration.

The first workshop of the 'Re-inhabiting the City' Project was hosted by the University of Birmingham from the  31st January to the 2nd February. 
The workshop promoted an opportunity to kick-start a technical and strategic discussion on the
topic of the regeneration, reoccupation and revitalisation of underused urban areas in the city of Sao Paulo in the climate change scenario.
The workshop allowed the whole team of researchers to get together and discuss ideas and initiatives for this research project. The workshop outcome was the strengthening of research capability and relationships among the institutions involved and setting the foundations for future joint research. 
Other outcome included a well-informed strategic plan of research for Sao Paulo’s city centre, with the identification of the case studies selected for further investigation.