How a São Paulo Favela Turned a Dump into a Green Haven to Resist Eviction
From Threat of Eviction to Seeds of Hope
In São Paulo’s sprawling favelas, green spaces are rare. But one community facing eviction has shown that turning a neglected patch of land into a thriving garden can be a powerful way to protect homes and restore dignity.The Vila Nova Esperança favela, once at risk of demolition for being located in an environmental protection zone, is now home to a lush 0.5-hectare community garden. For more than a decade, local resident Maria de Lourdes Andrade Silva—known as LiaEsperança—has led the project with the belief that sustainability could be their best defense against eviction.
Cleaning Up to Stay Put
Back in 2006, authorities wanted to remove the 600 families living there, citing garbage buildup and lack of sanitation services as threats to the surrounding protected area. For Silva, who had recently moved into the favela, the eviction plan was a wake-up call.“I thought, ‘I have to do something to not lose my home nor anybody else’s,’” she recalls. With neighbors, she launched a community clean-up, building a waste bin shelter and tackling the problem that made the area vulnerable in the first place.
A Garden That Sparked a Movement
By 2013, after years of collective work, Silva proposed the idea of a community garden that would not only supply food but also bring environmental education to residents. Although some initially resisted—wanting the land for houses or revenue—the majority voted in favor.What began with just a handful of neighbors planting vegetables grew into a vibrant project supported by NGOs and universities. Rows of basil, passionfruit vines, and herbs now stand where trash once piled high.
“I had no idea it would snowball this far,” Silva says.
Changing Lives, One Plant at a Time
For many residents, the garden became more than a food source—it became a symbol of resilience. Cícera Maria Lino, a volunteer from the start, describes it as the spark that reignited their fight against eviction. Others, like Batista Santos, only joined later. After losing his job during the pandemic, Santos began working in the garden and now calls it “marvellous and beautiful… it really changed my life.” Today, he serves as the community’s vice president, supporting Silva’s leadership in the resident’s association.A Green Legacy for the Future
The Vila Nova Esperança project has proven that favelas are not just informal settlements, but spaces capable of innovation and environmental stewardship. What started as a desperate effort to avoid eviction has become a blueprint for urban resilience.For Silva, every leaf and seed represents more than food—it’s a reminder that when communities take root together, they can flourish against the odds.
