Limites e conexões na experimentação do espaço urbano: a gradação da permeabilidade no bairro do Farol, Maceió-AL

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the urban space and states that it is organized by limits, connections, and gradations of permeability, which are physical, administrative, and symbolical conditions. The limits and connections are taken here as constituent parts of the city, delimiting its perimeter, defining zoning, establishing areas of environmental protection, defining the administrative divisions of the districts, directing accesses, and demarcating lots, in other words, organizing the space. We observe how such limits can - depending on the configuration - connect, separate, interfere, hinder, or even facilitate the enjoyment of public space by the inhabitants or passersby of a region. From the above, the objective of our research is to characterize the urban limits, connections, and gradations of permeability, starting from the case study of a section of the Farol district, Maceió. The chosen district was the first occupied region on Maceió's plateau. Its geomorphological characteristics provide proximity to the economic and administrative center of the city, maintaining the visual connection but with physical distance. To achieve the objective the methodological strategies included: a theoretical discussion of concepts and classifications of urban limits, connections, and the relationships of gradations of permeability; and a verification of the recurrence of urban limits and connections in the Farol district in Maceió. To accomplish the methodological strategies, the following procedures were proposed: (a) Review references about the limits, connections, gradations of permeability, and the Farol district; (b) Apprehension of the empirical object of study; (c) Conduct research on digital social networks about Farol district; (d) To conceive an empirical methodology; (e) Characterize the empirical object of study. The methodology was developed based on the three approaches found in the theoretical affiliation: morphological, symbolic, and uses and appropriations and applied in the study section, which consists of Thomaz Espíndola avenue and a stretch of the Geraldo Melo dos Santos slope. It was concluded that the gradation of permeability can vary according to the influence on the inhabitant of each of the layers of its natures. As for the characterization of the empirical object, the existence of limits, connections, and gradations of permeability was confirmed. Regarding the uses, occupations, and appropriations, its diversification was noticed throughout the 21st century and a greater concentration of users and appropriations was observed near the bus stops. Variations were found in the permeability of lots and buildings, accessibility hampered by impediments to circulation, and replacement of older buildings by contemporary examples of easier maintenance found in the study section.