EFEITOS DA SEGURANÇA PÚBLICA E VIÁRIA NA VITALIDADE DE PRAÇAS: APLICAÇÃO DE INDICADORES PARA AVALIAÇÃO

Abstract

The demands for open spaces of public use in sufficient quantity and quality have been growing concomitantly with urban expansion. As a result, it is necessary that such spaces, especially public squares, be planned and developed based on parameters that ensure their liveliness and that satisfactorily comply with the population's demand. For this, this article aims to evaluate squares in Administrative Region 5 - Praia do Canto, in the city of Vitória - ES, based on an assessment tool developed in partnership between two universities in the state of Espírito Santo, based on the adequacy of the Walkability Index (iCam). In this tool, the analysis is divided into four categories: Protection and Security; Comfort and Image; Accesses and Connections; and Sociability, Uses and Activities. This article presents the category "Protection and Security", evaluating the characteristics related to public and road safety, fundamental criteria for the quality and use of the public spaces. The results evidenced the low investment in resources associated with security, which causes negative consequences regarding the use of plazas. Although the other categories had reached satisfactorily outcomes, as such as in terms of attractiveness, the lack of security affect negatively the use of the spaces.