In colonial times, the Pinheiros River was called Jurubatuba, which in the Tupi language means "place with many jerivás palm trees."

The main road that gave access to the village was Caminho de Pinheiros, which is today Rua da Consolação.

However, with so many environmental changes due to human expansion, the riparian forests along the banks of the river dwindled and natural vegetation became extinct.

In the small remaining strip of land, power transmission lines, interceptors and sewage outfalls, oil pipelines, telecommunications cables, rainwater galleries and service roads were installed for desilting operations.

The Pinheiros River began to receive domestic sewage and industrial waste, which ended up compromising the quality of its waters and the survival of local fauna.