Public spaces and the role of the architect: na study of Parque da Juventude

• Grant number: 15/22123-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2016
• End date: April 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning - Fundamentals of Architecture and Urbanism
• Principal Investigator: José Eduardo de Assis Lefèvre
• Grantee: Thais Matos de Godoi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo (FAU). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project is focused on the analysis of a recently built public space in the city of São Paulo, following as principle the geographical methodology proposed by Prof. Milton Santos for the analysis of urban spaces, incorporating architectonic approaches, with the purpose of understanding its insertion in the city of São Paulo and the role of the architects responsible for its conception.The Parque da Juventude constitutes a very promising case study, being contemporary (completed in 2007) and getting a good response from its public. Its prime location along main avenues of the North Zone, with bus terminals and the Carandiru subway station, ensures easy access to the site, which on its turn allows for extended opening hours, assuring intensive use and offering diversified activities, including a technical high school, sports facilities and greenery and, in the future, a theatre.In addition, the complex is located on the site of the old Carandiru penitentiary complex, partially dismantled. The project´s decision of not hiding its difficult memory, related to a rebellion of prisoners happened in 1992, followed by the massacre of 111 detainees by the military police, incorporating it in the design, consolidated the area as a cutting edge new urban environment. The management of urban landmarks is nowadays one of the most important challenges of contemporary cities and the study of a project that assumes it as a principle is very rewarding for future development initiatives.