EN 
PT_BR 
The mayor of Campinas (SP), Jonas Donizette, signed this week the agreement to create the HIDS (Campinas International Hub for Sustainable Development), also known as the Knowledge Free Zone.
The measure proposes the implementation of a living laboratory for sustainable and intelligent development aiming to promote the urbanization of the territory integrated with nature and the objectives for sustainable development established by the UN (United Nations).
For Luiz Carlos Kretly, professor at the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UNICAMP (State University of Campinas) and member of the HIDS working group, the project will encourage technological research. Among them, sustainable energy.
“In addition to the aspect of integration and internationalization, we will have visibility that will allow us to have resources from various sources, including abroad. By promoting and strengthening research, HIDS will act as an important catalyst for technologies for sustainable development”, highlighted the professor.
Kretly also added that solar energy will play a prominent role in the project. “The photovoltaic source is the one that most perfectly integrates with urban spaces, as it allows the generation of electrical energy. It will gain even more importance as it will be necessary to produce electricity to supply the fleets of electric vehicles that will occupy cities in the future”, emphasized the professor.
When signing the agreement, Mayor Jonas highlighted that Campinas has potential for technological and sustainable projects and that HIDS encompasses all areas. “A smart city goes beyond the technological part, it is necessary to transform this into quality of life for the population”, says the mayor, Jonas Donizette.
The rector of UNICAMP, Marcelo Knobel, participated in the event and highlighted the relevance of the project. “It is a project that has many challenges, involving universities, governments and companies. I'm sure it will be of great quality and a milestone for Campinas and the region. May this hub be a mirror for other cities, in Brazil and around the world.”
The project
HIDS, when completed, will be a living laboratory that will work through partnerships with the government, companies, universities and research institutions to test technologies and/or products that help meet the UN's 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
Through a partnership with UNICAMP and the city of Campinas, the IDB, National Development Bank, invested US$ 1 million to begin preparing a masterplan (comprehensive planning) for the project.
The project planning area involves the campuses of UNICAMP (including Fazenda Argentina), PUC-Campinas, Facamp and the entire territory of Ciatec II – High Technology Hub, totaling 11.3 million square meters.
To access the full presentation and more information about HIDS Click here.
