O exercício do direito à cidade sob a ótica do uso e do acesso às praças públicas pela população da periferia urbana sul de Santa Cruz do Sul/RS.

Abstract

This research seeks to analyze the right to the city through the lens of public square usage and access by the population residing in the southern urban periphery of Santa Cruz do Sul/RS. It is premised on the notion that effective access to and utilization of public spaces are pivotal for fostering more equitable urban environments. Employing a qualitative approach grounded in historical and dialectical materialism, the research relies on semi-structured interviews, participant observation, secondary data analysis, legal review, and photographic documentation to comprehend the perceptions, experiences, and demands of the southern urban periphery population concerning public squares. The selection of the southern urban periphery as the study’s focal point is justified by its concentration of low-income residents and historically insufficient provision of quality public spaces in this locale. Initial findings suggest that access to and utilization of squares in the southern urban periphery of Santa Cruz do Sul various factors, including location, infrastructure, security, maintenance, and availability of activities influence Sul. A latent demand exists for enhancements in these areas, underscoring the necessity of investments in infrastructure, security, and cultural and recreational activities. Data analyses will adopt a content analysis approach to identify patterns, trends, and contradictions in interviewees’ perceptions and experiences. Interviews unveil the intricacies of public squares in the southern urban periphery of Santa Cruz do Sul, underscoring their role as hubs for social interaction and the challenges tied to the right to the city, spatial justice, and urban and regional development. This research aims to contribute to discussions surrounding urban public policies aimed at fostering democratic access and utilization of public spaces, thereby ensuring the genuine exercise of the right to the city. Ultimately, this study seeks not only to generate academic insight but also to offer new perspectives conducive to shaping participatory public policies, recognizing the significance of public squares as venues for social gathering, cohabitation, and civic engagement, particularly for residents of peripheral urban areas.