Itajai has already invested more than 1.4 billion reais in the development of the city between 2017 and 2023 from its own resources, international funding, the State and the Union. Some projects have already been implemented, while others are still in progress.

The municipality is one of the largest in Santa Catarina and is a benchmark for development. Photo: Secom Itajaí/Reproduction/ND

Improvements are being made in various sectors such as social, economic, environmental and governance, including infrastructure, mobility, education, health, sanitation, the environment and other areas.

More than 300 million reais have been invested in urban mobility and infrastructure alone to reconfigure the system and plan Itajai, according to the executive.

Macrodrainages avoid disturbance caused by floods in Itajai

The macro-drainage package proposed by the executive has reduced the risks and possible damage from flooding and flooding in several areas of Itajai. Over the past five years, more than 60 streets and avenues in 17 microdistricts have already received similar works.

In total, 16.1 kilometers of pipes and more than 7 kilometers of galleries were laid. Investments in the sector reach almost 70 million reais.

Bridge investments

Since the Itajais cross rivers and streams, the municipality has invested more than 20 million reais in the construction of bridges to shorten distances and make traffic flow more smoothly. About 50% of this amount was invested in connecting the areas of Cordeiros and São Vicente via the 71 meter long Paulo Vicente Bridge.

The city is the fourth largest source of jobs in Santa Catarina. Photo: Secom Itajaí/Reproduction/ND.

Itajai has a population of 264,000 according to the 2022 census and is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation and state. As a result, a number of changes are needed.

In this sense, binaries, expansions, re-urbanization and road openings have been carried out to reduce congestion and make it easier to move around the city. For example, the renovation of Hercilio Luz required an investment of BRL 15.4 million and should be completed by the end of 2023.

leisure and fun

Nossa Señora das Graças Square is another place for coexistence and recreation for Itajaí residents, opened earlier this year. Over 2,200 m², there is a community center, a playground, a sports field, an outdoor gym and a public library.

Built with international funding from the Fonplata Bank, about 3.4 million reais were invested in the facility.

In the overall ranking of Connected Smart Cities, published in October 2022, Itajai ranked 6th in the economic sector and 3rd in Brazil for mobility, indicators that demonstrate the well-being of residents.

In addition, according to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Thiago Morastoni, Itajaí is the fourth city in Brazil that creates the most jobs, attracting investors from all areas.

One of the current projects, also aimed at the leisure of the population, is the Ecological and Marine Park, located on the banks of Avenida Beira Rio, in Saco da Fazenda. The space will have an area of ​​over 23,000 square meters with a green area, a playground, a gym, a public tennis court and a helipad for emergency services.