Dissertação de Mestrado
This research investigates women's experiences in the four urban parks of Caxias do Sul – RS, exploring their socio-spatial dynamics through a perspective attentive to the everyday experiences of women. The aim is to understand how the female community perceives and uses these urban parks, revealing both aspects of enjoyment and belonging, as well as tensions related to insecurity, surveillance, and the restrictions imposed by a society still shaped by patriarchal structures. Until the mid-1980s, only two parks existed, both located in the city center, which limited access for much of the population. The subsequent expansion of parks into other areas of the city represents a potential step forward in democratizing the use of public open spaces and increasing their presence across the urban territory. This is a qualitative study, and its methodological approach proposes the development of a socio-morphological cartography as a tool of investigation, combining documentary research, walking based methods, and shared narratives. This approach made it possible to map the strengths and vulnerabilities of the analyzed parks (Parque Cinquentenário, Parque dos Macaquinhos, Parque da Lagoa, and Parque das Araucárias), taking into account multiple spatial and temporal scales. The results show that, although women face numerous challenges to being present in public open spaces, they construct in these parks territories of freedom, affection, and connection, revealing the strength and vitality of feminine experiences even in adverse contexts. By viewing urban parks as spaces of dispute and (re)signification, this research seeks to contribute to the advancement of studies on public open spaces from a gendered perspective, particularly in the context of the Global South, offering insights for the construction of more equitable and inclusive cities.
Date: 29/04/2025
ResearchLine
- Culture, Landscape and Built Environment
Person
- Ethel Pinheiro Santana
- Mônica Bahia Schlee
- Rubens de Andrade
- Sofia Vezzaro Taiarol [author]
- Vera Regina Tângari [contributor]
Course
- Master of Architecture PROARQ