Appropriation of Tenente João Pedro Menna Barreto square in Santa Maria: a multimethod analysis

Abstract

The square, as an open space, represents environmental, landscape, and social functions within the urban framework. Due to its importance for the quality of life in cities, the square has physical and cultural elements that are related to its users and the appropriation of space. Thus, the research questions whether the Tenente João Pedro Menna Barreto square located in Santa Maria - RS has significant appropriation and whether the appropriation is intergenerational and intergender. As a premise, it is defined that despite the square not being central, it has a quality of appropriation. Through a multi-method approach (exploratory visit, infrastructure checklist, behavioral maps, observation of physical features and interviews) was possible to verify that, despite the existence of some deficiencies, the square is frequented by multiple users and has diversified uses that attract the population.