The acting governor of São Paulo, Felício Ramuth, said on Wednesday (14) that the projects of HIDS (International Hub for Sustainable Development) – currently being implemented at Unicamp – and PIDS (Polo de Inovação e Desenvolvimento Sustentável) – which is being coordinated by the city of Campinas – are among the strategic programs of the state. During a visit to the Innovation Agency (Inova Unicamp) in the morning, Ramuth learned details of the projects and stated that the government intends to offer support for infrastructure, such as the feasibility of roads, for example, or for incentive programs to attract companies.
“This is already a priority agenda for our departments and for the state government,” said the acting governor when the projects were presented. “You can be sure that Campinas’ agenda and the agenda of these important research institutions and universities that we have here are already on the state government’s agenda,” he added.
Ramuth said that once the stages of the implementation process are completed, there will be strong integration between large teaching and research institutions and the opening of spaces for new technology and innovation companies.
“HIDS and PIDS reinforce the idea of integration, and I have no doubt that what is being done here will transform Campinas, the State of São Paulo and Brazil in the future,” he said.
Unicamp’s rector Paulo César Montagner believes that HIDS is an innovative project that could become a reference. “It is a far-reaching project that could become a model not only for the state and the country, but also for the world,” he believes.
According to Montagner, the state government’s involvement can boost the project, which will require large-scale investment. “For this reason, it is very important that the state government and other stakeholders join us in this, so that we can make this major project viable and a reality,” he said.
HIDS is being installed in an area of 11,3 million m² on Unicamp's territory. The space will house a fourth-generation innovation district – an urban development concept that combines elements of technology parks and innovation districts, guided by the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to HIDS coordinator Roberto Donato, the idea is for the district to be sustainable in its structure, urban planning, energy consumption and mobility, but also to be geared towards companies that seek equally sustainable technological solutions. “We believe that Brazil’s energy transition can start in Campinas,” he said.
HIDS already has an occupation plan, divided into three phases: 2025-2030, 2030-2040 and 2040-2050.
Innovation and Sustainable Development Hub
The PIDS, in turn, encompasses an area of approximately 17 million m², covering, in addition to the expansion areas of Unicamp and PUC-Campinas, the high-technology hub – one of the strategic development areas foreseen in the municipality's Master Plan.
The mayor of Campinas, Dario Saadi, said he was optimistic about the acting governor's position on the future of the project.
“What he said here today is an important commitment by the state government, not only because he is willing to discuss state laws that can serve as an incentive to attract sustainable technology-based companies, but also because of the possibility of a partnership in the implementation of infrastructure,” said the mayor. According to Dario, the PIDS project will require the construction of 15 km of avenues and roads, in addition to sanitation works. “Therefore, these two possibilities are fundamental for the implementation of PIDS as a region and of HIDS as a center of sustainable development,” concluded the mayor.
Submitted by the City Hall, the PIDS project is at the City Council for approval. According to the president of the Council, councilor Luiz Rossini, the project should be voted on this semester.
