URBAN PARKS: PROTECTION AND RECOVERY OF FRAGILE AREAS IN THE LANDSCAPE - CASE STUDY IN THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

Abstract

Urban parks represent the main area for outdoor leisure and recreation in urban environments, as well as the primary tool for protecting environmentally fragile areas such as slopes, valley bottoms, and degraded areas. This study conducts an analysis of urban parks from the perspective of the physical characteristics of the relief, guided by the premise that parks were strategically implemented in fragile areas of the urban environment. To this end, a case study was developed in the Central-West region of the city of São Paulo, through the analysis of thematic maps (hydrography, topography, and land use) available on the São Paulo City Hall website. The selection criteria for the analyzed units were based on the size of the area, selecting: the largest area, the smallest area, and an intermediate-sized area. The analyzed parks were: Zilda Natel Park, implemented on a slope and in an old degraded area; Aclimação Park, implemented in a valley bottom; and Villa Lobos Park, implemented in a valley bottom, subject to flooding, and an old degraded area. According to the characteristics of the physical location and historical occupation, it is clear that the initial premises were corroborated: the parks were implemented in fragile areas of the urban landscape.