“Feira - Ocupação”: um estudo de caso sobre mulheres e relações sociais solidárias no espaço público: o Solar na Praça - Feira Livre

Abstract

This article aims at reflecting upon the relationships between people and public spaces, from a care perspective. The need to incorporate a feminist approach in the analysis of the right to the city reinforces the urgency of studies in the field that bring alternatives and debates in favor of the reorganization of public spaces from the everyday life perspective, and consequently challenges the premise that planning is neutral. Thus, this work is a qualitative social research, conducted through a case study – the "Solar na Praça – Craft Fair" project – conceived, accomplished, and held in the Solar da Serra neighbourhood, in São João del-Rei, by women who believe that through their handwork, they can open paths in a collective and solidary way. The aim of this investigation is to understand how the craft fair project and the square occupation contribute to reclaim the public space usage, through the local resignification of the square space, from solidary interventions in the public space, promoted by women. It is believed that the project encompasses an experience that enables the association not only of the principles of solidarity economy in discussions related to daily life domains and demands related to the city, but also incorporates the ethics of care, allowing people to feel and actually experience the right to the city.