Liveliness at the peace square in João Pessoa - PB: a configurational analysis of views, paths and uses

• Autor(a) principal: Tenório, Maria Elisa Chaves
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Donegan, Lucy
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: PARC (Campinas)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.sbu.unicamp.br/ojs/index.php/parc/article/view/8667202
• topic: Visibilidade; Praça da paz; Espaço público; Sintaxe espacial; Configuração espacial; Praça da Paz; Visibility; Public space; Space syntax; Spatial configuration

This paper identifies spatial configuration and built form relations with uses at Peace Square (Praça da Paz), in João Pessoa – PB. Praça da Paz is centrally located in Bancários neighborhood, near facilities that attract flows in the city. Understanding that location, surroundings and spatial organization can influence public space uses, this paper investigates how location, layout of buildings and amenities and overall square design may be facilitating or hindering the use and permanence of people at the square. Space Syntax's theoretical-methodological framework is used to investigate formal characteristics of location in the city and spatial patterns at the square and its immediate surroundings, defining different types of barriers and permeabilities for walking and for fields of view. Results emphasize the square as centrally located in the city in terms of potential movement, with commerce and services, which naturally attract more people. Findings indicate that informal paths integrate the space better and that the square Norwest section is little visible, disconnected and little used, highlighting some limitations of the square's formal design. On the other hand, the arrangement of equipment for use and rest along the main paths – as by the central axis – is positive as it helps distribute people. The ease of seeing and moving through the main access invites people to stop and pass by, characterizing Praça da Paz square as a very lively place.