O Centro para as pessoas: nelhoria da mobilidade ativa na área calma de Curitiba

Abstract

Walking is the most democratic way of getting around. The debate about the quality of life in contemporary cities and the importance of thinking and planning the urban space for the pedestrian is one of the most relevant and urgent today. Curitiba aiming to improve the city for pedestrians and to reduce the number of traffic accidents in the central area implemented the Calm Area, following the model of zones 30 applied in several cities of the world. However, no urban measures were taken by the municipality in addition to speed regulation at 40km / h, generating several criticisms of the applied model. This research sought to understand the definitions and applications of active mobility in urban centers and the concepts of "city for people", as well as to identify the reality of the area of intervention and its surrounding environment through an exploratory, analytical and descriptive analysis. Diagnostics of the calm area were raised to understand several factors such as density, flows, uses, road structure, block size, floor typology and width of sidewalks. Through all the surveys carried out, it was verified that the current perimeter of the Area, in addition to being extensive, includes two completely divergent sections in typology, land use and slope, the São Francisco neighborhood and the downtown neighborhood, limiting the execution of projects throughout region. These analyzes outlined the normative and design guidelines of the Master Plan and the pilot intervention proposal of the street design, mainly in reducing the current perimeter to a central nucleus that coincides with the area identified by the users as the center of the city, transforming from the central area in an attractive location for active modals. The two streets for pilot intervention seek to provide the extension of the XV boardwalk and start a future attractive connection between the center and the historical sector. The research concludes that only speed regulation does not make the site attractive and safe for non-motorized means, it is necessary to improve urban infrastructure, implement strategic public policies and incentives to attract the appropriation of the central public space.