The Open Spaces Systems in the Brazilian Urban from Constitution: Production and Apropriation (QUAPÁSEL II)

Abstract

This proposal continues the thematic research project “The Open Spaces Systems and the Constitution of the Contemporary Public Sphere in Brazil”, developed by the QUAPÁ Laboratory at FAUUSP together with the Urban Renewal Research Group at CEATEC-PUC-Campinas, FAPESP process nº 2006/56623-2 in the years 2006-2011. It is a new thematic research project that aims to investigate the relationship between the open spaces systems and the urban form production in the Brazilian cities today. The object is a complex one (MORIN, 2008): it is not the open spaces, neither the urban form itself, but the relationship established between them that are the focus of this research. This relationship constitutes a system, presents a structure, and an organization which contains, dialectically, the relationship that establishes and destabilizes it. A critical approach is mandatory in order to comprehend the social and spatial process that constitutes the urban forms, and what it is common in national basis and for each investigated area. Continuing the national research network QUAPÁ-SEL, the objective is to understand the main stakeholders’ role that produces the investigated object – the conceived space and the living space (LEFÈBVRE, 1974) – and to establish quality criteria that considered the local specificities – from weather to cultural manifestations – and the open spaces and buildings arrangements possibilities that integrated the spatial system related to forms, functions and appropriations. It is not a goal to develop another good urban form guide, but to establish theoretical principles and consolidate evaluation methods to contribute to urban planning, with emphasis in public life.