The “Oasis Game” in Santos

In Santos, a coastal Brazilian city south of Sao Paulo, around 100,000 residents of the informal settlement of Nova Cintra face challenges including insecurity, poverty, unsafe living conditions and lack of infrastructure for families and children.

This project will use a gamified community intervention methodology called the “Oasis Game” to involve around 200 to 400 members of the community in participatory development of urban space solutions for young children, which could include playgrounds and day care facilities, as well as longer-term strategies.

The project employed a seven-stage philosopy (“gaze, affection, dream, care, miracle, celebration and re-evolution”) which involved mobilising members of the community through meetings, workshops and events to notice and appreciate the resources available locally, define collective aspirations and work together to achieve them.

The project has now ended and achieved even more than originally planned, thanks to the strength of the response from the community. A space for playing soccer in the community has been protected by being fenced off, an abandoned shipping container has been turned into a toy library and play space, and a pedestrianised street has been transformed – with litter cleared, colourful murals painted, and a vegetable garden planted.