Produção e configuração dos espaços livres públicos intraurbanos em Patrocínio-MG

Abstract

This research analyses the configuration and production process of intra-urban public open spaces of Patrocínio, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It presents the social-spatial process of the constitution of the city by the evolution of the urban structure and the political, physical and economic factors that shaped it. The urban morphology based the analysis, diagnosis, prescription, and plan for public open spaces. Aiming at bringing urban morphology closer to professional practice, from planning to project, we included methodologies and principles of the physical configuration of public open spaces. We aimed at showing how urban morphology can contribute to the analysis of public open spaces to provide more qualified and better-grounded environments. We understand as open space those without buildings, considering not only their environmental function, but also spaces with no vegetation that are stage for social and cultural appropriations, economical activities, and political manifestations. This approach goes beyond the usual designation of leisure, sports and green areas; it also considers the complexity and multiplicity of uses that open spaces contemplate. Thus, it allows an analysis of the relation between open spaces, constituted of elements such as streets and squares, and the built spaces, formed by buildings, established by social action. In order to understand the whole process of production and configuration of public open spaces of Patrocínio, we analyzed and characterized the open spaces of the city. First, we analyzed the scales of Patrocínio and, then, the unit’s scales, highlighting the characteristics, uses, types of appropriation, and cultural and social relations. Thus, we were able to read each of these spaces to recognize the physical elements and their insertion in the city's public open spaces system.