then, in 1819, all were consolidated into one conglomerate called vila real de praia grande, which had political independence as a part of the greater rio de janeiro area.        

the construction of the rio - niterói bridge in the 1970s rapidly accelerated expansion and development of niterói and the surrounding beachside areas, which to this day continue to be the fastest growing.  

this has resulted in various urban planning and environmental preservation programs, not all of which have been totally implemented as of yet, but that have nonetheless changed the city.