Cidade e criança: estudos de espaços públicos de Fortaleza sob a ótica do brincante infantil

Abstract

The present research aims to analyze to what extent the public leisure spaces in Fortaleza are aligned with the fundamentals of a Child Friendly City. The first step was to conduct a literature review in scientific articles, theses, dissertations, classic works and institutional publications that address issues related to the child-friendly city, child participation, public policies and urban accessibility. From the repertoire surveyed and systematized, analyses were made on an international, national and local scale in order to justify the relevance of this theme, identify advances and research gaps. In the field, an observational, descriptive, exploratory case study was carried out, with a quali-quantitative approach and application of the Ergonomic Methodology for the Built Environment (MEAC), by Villarouco (2001; 2008). The sample included children from 3 to 11 years old who frequent Luiza Távora Square and their respective caregivers and, for the five steps of the MEAC, different techniques of environmental perception were assigned, being them: simple direct observation, check-list, behavioral map, structured interview, participatory mapping and wishful thinking poem. Therefore, the configurations of this public leisure space were analyzed and how it meets the demands of children regarding ergonomics, accessibility and playfulness, organized through the categories: protection, basic needs, comfort, interaction and connection, established by Gehl and Bernard van Leer Foundation (2018). Finally, the research contributes to the understanding of participatory processes with children, of how much the public spaces of Fortaleza are aligned with the concept of Child-Friendly City and, thus, contributes to the foundation of planning strategies and projects.