Cidade entre muros: caminhografia nas bordas de condomínios fechados de Pelotas

Abstract

Gated communities, enclosed residential neighborhoods and fortified residential enclaves are different nomenclatures for residential subdivisions surrounded by walls and fences and with controlled access. Unlike traditional urban subdivisions that must donate part of their area to the government for the collective use by the population, gated communities function as true cities for the exclusive use of residents, with a road system, green areas, leisure spaces, and closed-circuit television system. By interfering in important urban issues, such as the road system, provision of urban infrastructure, appropriation of public space and socio-spatial segregation, condominiums have caused significant changes in the character of urban space. Among the already observed consequences are less social interaction, the privatization of public space, the homogenization of places, the search for a community of peers and the loss of public life. Given this scenario, the investigation of condominiums assumes particular importance for understanding the contemporary city and the search for healthier solutions for society in general. Therefore, the general objective of this research is to analyze the borders of closed condominiums in Pelotas, in order to understand and identify the forces acting in these territories and that allow to broaden the discussion about segregation in the contemporary city from the sensitive experience. In order to achieve the general and specific objectives of this research, the city of Pelotas was chosen as the place for this investigation, since it has experienced a significant increase in the number of gated communities in recent years. The methodology adopted for the research is sensitive urban cartography, a form of intervention research that seeks to investigate and portray the various layers of meaning present in cities, considering the emotions, sensations and subjectivities of the people who live in them. The methodological procedures adopted are a bibliographic review, urban walking and cartography and cartographic analysis. Throughout the study, 4 cartographic experiences are carried out around 7 gated communities in Pelotas, which allow an imersive understanding of the investigated phenomenon and its dynamics. Through the elements that make up this sensitive experience, together with the reviewed theories, cartographic clues of openness, subjectivity and collectivity are developed. The intersection of these clues reveals the research results, offering uggestions and reflections that indicate possible directions to be followed.