A responsividade do desenho urbano e a urbanidade do Conjunto Salvador Lyra, Maceió/AL

Abstract

This work aims to analyze the relationships between the degree of responsiveness of the urban design (UD) and the level of urbanity in the Salvador Lyra Housing Complex. The research problem ⏤ what does urban design contribute or hinder in the degree of urbanity based on its responsiveness? ⏤ , was answered through the measurable character that these concepts present. The qualities of a responsive UD were defined by Bentley et al. (1985) as: permeability, variety, legibility, robustness, visual adequacy, richness and personalization; and urbanity parameters were defined by Chakur (2018b) as: diversity, density, compactness and physical quality of space. Based on the theoretical-methodological review of the aforementioned authors, these 11 qualities and parameters were interrelated considering their conceptual similarities and the moment in which, predominantly, they are influencing the relationship between the environment and people: if during arrival at the location, the recognition of this place, the effective use of spaces or when there is already personal identification with that place. These four moments of individual-space interaction form the theoretical-methodological model developed in this research, which was adopted in the analysis of the Salvador Lyra Complex. With the application of the model, it was possible to conclude that the UD of the Complex is responsive and favors urbanity when arriving at the place and when it is recognized as “a housing complex”, however, this space does not encourage or provide choices that enough for the people who are walking on it. The responsiveness of Salvador Lyra is limited at the time of use for those who do not know it previously, as it has elements that do not encourage a plurality of flows and people. Identification with the place is predominant in the private sphere, and leisure spaces are not proportional to the size of the Complex, nor do they express appropriation on the part of users. This work has its academic limitations, given the theoretical and methodological scope adopted. However, its merit lies in the possibility of instigating reflections on the design of urban space, land division, and action in city design. The study demonstrates a path to action in the field of architecture and urbanism, in designing the living space beyond the urban form, adding the plurality of relationships of urban mobility, leisure, work activity, that is, its urban complexity. It is expected that this theoretical methodological model can assist urban architects in the design, analysis and/or intervention in the city space.