The appropriation of open public space in the contemporary metropolis: Tiradentes Square in Curitiba City

Abstract

The study about the importance of open public spaces for the development of social life in cities is a recurrent concern in the various fields of urban spaces study. Especially in central areas of dense cities, these spaces mitigate the climate, articulate traffic, leisure activities, among others. On the other hand, the central areas of metropolitan centers undergo sociospatial processes that make them be considered “degraded” and become the target of several “revitalization” actions intended to alleviate said undesirable effects. In this sense, the central squares also experience this process and it is very common to go through various transformations in order to change this situation. These actions are frequent in Curitiba, which the central area has been the subject of several “renewal” actions. Given this dynamic, this paper aims to understand the importance of Tiradentes Square, located in downtown Curitiba, for the development of public life through the study of its use and appropriation. This article seeks to identify the characteristics and particularities linked to the production and consumption processes of this public space, based on the understanding of its historical evolution, physical-spatial observation and apprehension of its users, inspirate by a brief literature review.

Keywords:
Open spaces; Public spaces; Public sphere; Tiradentes Square; Curitiba