Ateliê 5 bridged theory and practice through an in-depth study of urban and regional planning, with a particular focus on the Comércio district in Salvador. Under the coordination of Professors Gabriela Leandro Pereira and Thaís Troncon Rosa, the methodology combined theoretical classes, case studies, project development, and critical presentations, fostering a learning environment that encouraged critical urban analysis.

Group 3 (G3), composed of Ana Paula Ferreira, Endi Marley Ramos, João Pedro Melo, Leonardo Grogg, and Maiana Ferraro, began their work by questioning the urban imaginary and challenging the traditional division between Salvador’s “Upper City” and “Lower City.” This distinction, primarily based on topography, separates the higher area, home to historical and administrative buildings, from the lower area, which houses the port and commercial activities. By analyzing whether these categories accurately reflect real social and economic dynamics, G3 expanded the discussion beyond physical aspects. This reflection led to a critical analysis of land use and spatial segregation, highlighting inequalities and challenges in the district. The group's approach demonstrated sensitivity to the diversity and complexity of urban space, identifying opportunities for interventions that valued both the area's history and contemporary practices. Thus, G3 built a solid foundation for an Intervention Plan that sought not only to revitalize the physical space but also to promote inclusion and strengthen social relationships.

Throughout the process, the group engaged in various hands-on activities, including exploratory walks, dérives, and extended stays at strategic points in the district. By walking along different routes, starting from locations such as Porto da Barra and Ponta do Humaitá, the group observed urban scales, identified perceptions of security and comfort, and captured the diversity of urban environments. The dérive experience encouraged experimentation, mapping relationships between the sea, buildings, and people moving through the district, revealing previously unexplored dimensions of the territory. Engaging directly with residents, merchants, and passersby—at locations such as the Maritime Terminal and Praça Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca—allowed the group to better understand daily dynamics and challenges faced in Comércio, serving as a foundation for their analyses and proposals.

The culmination of G3’s investigative process was the creation of an Intervention Plan aimed at enhancing the diversity and heterogeneity of Comércio. This plan proposed guidelines to encourage mixed-use buildings, the appreciation of historical heritage, and the intensification of pedestrian mobility. By addressing issues such as spatial segregation and downtown depopulation, the group demonstrated a critical and sensitive understanding of the urban context. The proposed solutions aimed to invigorate the district while respecting existing social relationships and fostering new forms of interaction. The intervention sought to create a more inclusive and vibrant urban environment, where public spaces could be used democratically and sustainably.

In addition to the urban Intervention Plan, the group presented a Theoretical Plan, complementing practical proposals with legal and operational mechanisms to implement changes in Comércio. Based on the City Statute (Law 10.257/2001), which defines urban planning principles in Brazil, the plan includes the reconversion of buildings into public assets for housing, commerce, services, and education. It also proposes the application of a progressive property tax (IPTU), increasing for vacant buildings, as well as the expropriation of properties in poor condition or with long-term debts, ensuring the relocation of occupants to renovated spaces. Additional measures include incentives for local labor through a social currency and the creation of financial instruments such as a Community Bank. Cooperative management of buildings and the implementation of social housing programs and solidarity funds form an integrated system aimed at promoting social inclusion and sustainable urban development.