The NIMBY Phenomenon: When Proximity Transforms the Relationship with Urban Space
The Sustainability Directory portal, in one of its publications[1], suggests that the proper management of the so-called Not In My… syndrome
During my studies in Architecture and Urban Planning, a persistent question arose: how do European cities, remodeled in the 19th century—such as Paris with the Haussmann Plan, or Barcelona with the Cerdà Plan—manage to keep buildings from that era in full use to this day? It is observed, for example, that the morphology and architectural scale of Paris continue to compose its urban landscape with a strong visual identity and contemporary functionality.
Meanwhile, the situation in Brazilian cities like Belo Horizonte is quite different. The center of the Minas Gerais capital is marked by obsolete high-rise buildings, many of them closed and without prospects for reoccupation. The ongoing dynamic of building replacement, which consists of demolition to construct new towers, presents a high environmental cost: it generates construction and demolition waste and consumes large quantities of natural resources and energy.
Given this scenario, a promising alternative emerges: reform, renovate, rehabilitate, requalify, restore — actions that come together under the technical and marketing concept of retrofit. This term is used to describe projects that modernize existing buildings, respecting their original structures, but updating their systems and adapting them to contemporary technical standards and demands.
Retrofitting can include revitalizing facades, improving ventilation and natural lighting, updating vertical and horizontal circulation, as well as changing the use of buildings—such as converting underutilized commercial buildings into residential or mixed-use buildings. This strategy allows for adding new value to properties in prime locations, while simultaneously promoting urban preservation, the reoccupation of central areas, and sustainable development.
While cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro already have established experiences in retrofitting, Belo Horizonte is beginning to move in this direction. The city government has incorporated the strategy into its plans. Downtown Redevelopment Program – “Downtown for Everyone”, which aims to promote a more balanced and functional occupation of the central region, encouraging housing, commerce and leisure.
Among the measures implemented are:
Initiatives such as the revitalization of New Market and the strengthening of gastronomic hub of Rua Sapucaí They demonstrate the potential of the central region of Belo Horizonte to attract investment and generate new cultural and economic centers.
Two emblematic examples of this urban transformation in Belo Horizonte are... Tribe Liberdade Hotel and the Excelsior Building. The first, previously closed and abandoned since 2013, is being transformed into a contemporary hotel, with a project by the OR3 Group. The second, converted from a hotel to a multi-family residential building in 2004, represents a local landmark in the reconversion of uses.
These interventions point to viable ways to reuse existing built heritage, helping to reduce the pressure for new construction and revitalize degraded urban areas.
Retrofitting emerges as a technically viable, environmentally responsible, and economically attractive solution to the contemporary challenges of Brazilian cities. It not only preserves urban memory and identity but also reduces the environmental impact of the traditional construction cycle and enhances the quality of life in urban centers.
In Ecominas, We believe that rethinking how we occupy and transform our cities is essential for a more sustainable future. We are actively working to make Belo Horizonte a more vibrant, livable, and regenerative city—and we hope that this idea will take hold and inspire other initiatives across Brazil.
