A qualidade dos espaços abertos de jardins zoológicos na percepção de seus visitantes: o caso do Parque Zoológico da FZB/RS.

Abstract

The present research investigates the physical-spatial aspects that influence the performance of the open spaces of zoos, from the perception and the behavior of its visitors. The functions of education and entertainment to the public, present in the current zoological gardens, demand dynamic, sensorial and pleasant environments, capable of allowing a complete formation of the individual. Therefore, it is essential for the experience to be educational and memorable, to meet the interests of the public and to provide a qualified space. The research is relevant face of the lack of studies and theoretical subsidies that address the place quality in these institutions, based on evaluations involving individuals. The objective of the investigation is to evaluate the performance of open spaces in zoos through the perception of their visitors, the physical and morphological elements of these environments, in order to understand the aspects most strongly related to the perception of environmental quality. The work is conducted from a case study, the Zoological Park of the FZB/RS, located in Sapucaia do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Inserted in the study area of Environment-Behavior, the study adopts a methodological approach qualitative and quantitative, based on the methods and techniques of Post-Occupancy Assessment. Visitors' satisfaction, preferences, and behavior are used as criteria for assessing environmental performance. Methods of data collection include file and field surveys, the latter covering physical surveys, behavioral observations, questionnaire, semi-structured interview and children's drawings. As result of the research, was revealed the relationships between visitor satisfactions with: the environmental pleasantness, organization and interest, the adequacy of visitors facilities, aspects related to naturalness (vegetation and water), signs and equipment, and in relation to the importance of certain categories of design. Also was revealed the visitors preferred areas, the characteristics that make them preferred and the relationship between the visitors' stay in space with their: organization, the variety of visual stimuli provided, the naturalness of space and the physical aspects of the paths were unveiled. As well as, the different groups of visitors of the zoo were characterized, identifying specifics in the evaluation. It was observed that although the animals have a great influence on the quality of visitation and satisfaction with the visit, specific physical and morphological elements of these environments also strongly influence the evaluation of the spatial quality and the people satisfaction with the open space of zoos. The research as a whole provides subsidies that help in the understanding of the aspects that are related to the perception of environmental quality in zoos and that can guide the definition of criteria of planning of future interventions in these environments.