Study of social dynamics of public space for improvement of the project practice: the case of Largo da Batata

• Grant number: 15/07984-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2015
• End date: February 28, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning - Fundamentals of Architecture and Urbanism
• Principal Investigator: Paula Freire Santoro
• Grantee: Anna Carolina de Paula Madrid de Marco
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo (FAU). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research project intents to study methods of analysis of the local uses and the social dynamics of public spaces in order to support the action of architects regarding public spaces in big cities, so they can dialogue with the social praxis and local users demands, avoiding processes such as urban gentrification.For that, it is intended to study the authors who recognize the interdependency between public space and social practice and try out methodologies of recognition of these practices by getting close to social dynamics of a specific public space, the Largo da Batata, south-west region of the metropolis of São Paulo. Through this study case is purposed to deepen in the comprehension of the meanings, uses and functions of a public space aiming the development of urban sketches solutions. The objective is to get close to the social dynamics of the region, to their structural features and to their active agents for further questioning of the space configuration and proposition of new solutions.It is expected that the work contributes for a better comprehension of the Largo da Batata and provides information for its construction based on the interests of their users. It is also expected to provide basis for the development of project methodologies, speculate about the consequences of projecting a public space and understand the role of architects and urbanists. By the end, the desired results will be of academic and public interest.