Escadaria de Mãe Luiza enquanto espaço de entretenimento para crianças no contexto de uma cidade sustentável

Abstract

In the perspective that sustainable urban development is fundamental to the quality of life of society, the United Nations (UN) directed the Sustainable Development Objective (SDG) 11 for the construction and management of urban spaces, in order to make inclusive human settlements and safe, resilient and sustainable cities. In this context, cities should be places where children and teenagers, especially at risk and social vulnerability, can socialize, observe, learn and develop their role as citizens with rights and duties in their community. This research aimed to assess how the Escadaria de MãeLuiza is perceived, as an instrument of a sustainable city, in the historic moment of the Covid 19 pandemic. An ethnographic study of social actors was carried out, with questionnaires applied to children and relatives, as well as free and systematic observations on the use of the Escadaria de MãeLuiza. The results show that 91% of the relatives affirm that there is no offer of public spaces for children in the neighborhood, that is, the Escadaria de MâeLuiza, Natal, RN, Brazil is not perceived as an urban equipment aimed at children. Still, 57% of children use the space to play, although 68% of those responsible report problems related to physical infrastructure and 50% are afraid of violence. Children and adults reported that the Escadaria de MãeLuiza was a means of mobility for the community, allowing access to the beach and the bus stop. Finally, improvements were suggested for the space: the installation of a playground (58% of the relatives and 100% of the children) and infrastructure repairs (33% of the relatives). Thus, it is suggested an urban planning of high intensity and intercultural participation, for the construction of public spaces in the name of collective life.