A descaracterização dos centros históricos segundo a percepção do morador: o caso de Bagé - RS.

Abstract

Brazilian cities are experiencing a mischaracterization process of historic centers, where buildings and public spaces are being changed in a disorderly way, disregarding the importance of preserving the history and memory of the city. These changes can affect the ability to recognize a historical evolution of the urban landscape, causing a transformation; the place tends to lose its historical values and cultural wealth. Such situation affects the perception that the resident has on the site as well as the urban space, losing its identity. Thus, this research aims to identify the mischaracterization of historic buildings, according to the perception and awareness of different groups of residents about the importance of such phenomenon. Furthermore, the study aims to assess whether it affects the image that people have about the place and assess whether the identity of the urban space is being lost considering future generations. The choice of the historic center of Bagé, in Rio Grande do Sul, as an object of study, it is the reason for the importance of this city in the formation of state borders and Brazil. Also, it was considered area of historical and cultural interest in the Master Plan of the city, IPHAN and IPHAE. In this study, methods and techniques were used in environment-behavior area. The research was implemented in two stages: the first stage it was carried out a survey of the physical characteristics and mapping the degree of adulteration of historic buildings cataloged by IPHAN in 2009, and these were compared with the 2015 data. In the second stage it was identified perception of residents of the historic center through the following: the interviews, questionnaires and mental maps that were applied to adolescents in three schools in the central area and three schools in the periphery. With the results, it was possible to draw conclusions on mischaracterization considering the perception of loss of architectural and cultural heritage of the city. By inference, it was noted the need for an ethical-aesthetic approach of urban planners and public awareness with respect to the architectural richness of the buildings and the built environment in the region. Omissions and inappropriate interventions may exclude significant part of the history of the place, causing its physical, social and cultural degradation. Jeopardizing therefore the sustainability required in the contemporary moment, this is the great demand in XXI Century.