COMFORT AND WELFARE ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC SQUARES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CRATO-CE

Abstract

The urbanization process of the majority of the Brazilian cities has occurred without appropriate planning that would consider the importance of environmental components. Nevertheless, it is widely known that the quality of urban life depends on a variety of factors, such as infrastructure, socioeconomic development and environment related aspects. With regard to these last factors, public green areas are essential for the maintenance of public welfare and, among these places, the public squares function as social interactive and leisure options for citizens. Due to their beauty, the squares contribute to urban ornamentation and usually host civic or religious events. Thereby, this study aimed to characterization the social and environmental role played by the public squares in the municipality of Crato-CE. As a methodological approach, bibliographic researches, as well as, the application of 50 questionnaires have provided the necessary information. The results suggest that there is a diversification of the squares frequenters at different times of the day, in addition to a variety of reasons that influence people to stay at or pass by these places. It was perceived that being at squares stimulates positive feelings, as the feeling of happiness described by 46% of the interviewers, freedom experienced by 30% and contact with nature by 15%. Therefore, it is undoubtedly possible to emphasize the importance of public squares for the municipality and the wellbeing of its citizens.