Design de sistema flexível open source para mobiliário urbano: estratégia de reocupação de áreas públicas por meio de componentes adaptáveis

Abstract

The contemporary urban context is marked by profound social and economic inequalities that directly affect the lives of thousands of people in cities around the globe. These imbalances are reflected in territorial transformations, exposing complex disputes and contributing to the gradual weakening of public open spaces, elements that are essential to the constitution of urban life and the exercise of citizenship. As a consequence, there is a growing trend of abandonment of public spaces in favor of private environments, such as shopping malls and gated communities. Simultaneously, local actions, both symbolic and practical, have emerged, seeking to (re)activate urban areas considered lifeless or lacking "urban vitality," with the aim of fostering social inclusion, a sense of belonging, and collective well-being. Within this context, this research focuses on social design applied to urban furniture, aiming to analyze the relationship between users and the elements of street furniture in Brazilian cities, with particular attention to public squares. The study begins by identifying the presence, absence, or inadequacy of existing furniture and, based on this analysis, proposes new design solutions grounded in the principles of social design and the use of Open Source technologies. These proposals seek to encourage collective and democratic appropriation of public space. The methodology employed combines literature review, case study analysis, and empirical observations in urban squares, aiming to understand how different spatial configurations influence use, social dynamics, and the quality of the urban experience. The findings point toward the development of more inclusive, adaptable, and accessible furniture that contributes to the revitalization of public open spaces and the strengthening of urban life in its community and participatory dimension.