the boardwalk allowed water to infiltrate the soil, which along with the efforts and policies of the renowned bacteriologist oswald cruz, actually helped to stop the spread of diseases.

the 2.6 mile-long boardwalk, running along the beaches of copacabana and leme, was refurbished in the 1970s to extend the sand area. these works were led by roberto burle marx, who maintained the classic design but enlarged the curves in the black and white patterns so characteristic of the portuguese boardwalk work - this resulted in a total coverage area of 121 hectares.