Os laços topo-biofílicos que transformam espaços em lugares para servidores e estudantes da Escola Agrotécnica Federal de Uberlândia (MG): abordagem perceptiva em geografia

Abstract

Studies in the processes of environmental perception are fundamental for the comprehension of the interrelationships between man and the environment, his expectations, his way of thinking and the way he acts. This work has as its general objective to contribute to the comprehension of topo-biophilical aspects, present in the exuberant rural landscape manifest in the social contact of students and workers of the Federal Agrotechnical School of Uberlandia (FASUDI) and as specific objectives: to verify whether the choosing of the land is impregnated with topophilial and biophilial motives; to analyze the biophilica/biophobica reactions of people coming in contact with other living kinds in other environments from that in whjch they live; to identify memes that were successful as respondents to human conduct related to the land and to prove whether topophilical and biophilical interactivity could be the key to environmental conservation. Up to what point is conservation and/or environmental preservation taught? Based on this question and on the knowledge that people get attached to various places and landscapes, this research was carried out taking into consideration the following questions: Is it possible that the more topophilical ties there are the more instinctive biophilical ties exist in relation to the natural environment? Is it possible that topo-biophilical ties can bring about a change of positive attitudes as to our relationship to the environment, making us adopt a conservationist/preservationist conduct? The research of qualitative character was carried out by means of structured interview. The measuring instrument prepared was made up of two parts. The first part was composed of information about the personal data of the subjects. The second part of the measuring instrument, in order to evaluate the three topophilical aspects (perception, attitude and value) and the environmental attitudes related to the landscape of (FASUDI), was made up using question models developed by Machado (1999). Other evaluated items, still in the second part of the measuring instrument, were the biophilica/biophobica manifestations developed by Kellert & Wilson (1993). The questions were based on the measuring instrument utilized by Santos (2005). To finalize the objective of the questions was to identify the connection between biophilia and environmental conservation/preservation. It was used, the participant research methodology too, because we have written proposals for actions to be taken as environmental strategies of gestation in the institution. The subjects were chosen by way of convenience sampling. They were school employees at the time of the research, 106 full-time workers. 20% were interviewed which corresponds to 22 workers. The total number of students was 592. We interviewed 60 which corresponds to 10% of the students population. The different perceptive filters of the two groups of subjects explained the interaction differences between man and the long existent landscape. In our analysis it was perceived that the more direct and prolonged contact of the workers with the landscape of the (FASUDI) makes them find other meanings for it, in contrast to the other group/students, who do not live the different routines of the institution. As a consequence, many students do not become attached to other components of the landscape except for those detected in popular concept like: good school, peaceful, etc., since they are there passing through or temporarily , until they conclude their studies. The two groups present, in their way, concern as to the consequences of lack of maintenance of the installations of the institution. Most of the subjects considered themselves responsible for the care of the school. The affection demonstrated by the subjects explains why many of them consider the institution home . For the workers and students, this land is seen through the filters of interwoven affection and professionalism by a stronger emotion awakened not only by the beauty of abundant vegetation, but by the happy company of the birds, and the possibility of relaxing in the waters of the river. The institution represents much in the life of these subjects. It represents the survival of the family for the workers and the promise of a better future for the young students. Lastly, working with perception, we can guide our students and workers to participate in the processes which lead to the solution of the problems experienced by the school community, stimulating them to exercise their citizenship, for to the degree they learn to read the environment, answers will be found for their challenges.