Áreas verdes públicas em cidades de pequeno porte: histórico, perfil e interesses dos usuários

Abstract

The urban green spaces (UGS) are vegetated free spaces that improve the urban environment and the humans’ physical and psychological well-being. Due to the great importance of the UGS, we aimed to analyze, construct and characterize the history of the square located around a church, having as a modela small town, evaluating the use and the appropriation of these spaces, considering the religious, ethnic and social aspects of their users and the influence by such a religious temple that starred in the origin of the square. The city of Nepomuceno, Minas Gerais, was chosen as a model of small city and the Padre José square for being the main one and being around the church of São João Nepomuceno. For the analysis and evolution of Padre José Square, a field research was conducted with interviews with historians and ancient residents of the city and also survey of documents and photographs. The theoretical foundations were based on inventive and subjective analysis. The identification of botanical species and the current survey of the square, data compilation, organization of the historical process and evolution of the use of the square over the years were also performed. Questionnaires were applied to a sample of the population for the analysis and use of the square by the population. Through the historical survey of Padre José Square, it was observed that it underwent three major reforms and that currently has some changes made by the population. It was found that Padre José Square is mostly frequented by white women, 20 to 30 years old and with low monthly income. Most of the visitors are Catholics and they visit the square on weekends, especially Sundays. Most of the visitors do not contribute to the maintenance of the square and even though considering the current situation of the square as good, the majority believe that there is a lack of infrastructure for leisure and recreation. Those people who go to the square when they stay for a while in it feel happy, calm and grateful. It was concluded that the Church of the city of Nepomuceno influences the use and visits on the square by the population and that Padre José Square needs improvements in infrastructure for leisure and recreation as well as maintenance of gardens and urban furniture.