The Experience Of Public Space And Its Unfolding In Times Of Social Distance

Abstract

This paper presents the current scenario in which the relationship between Cariocas and free public leisure spaces of the city of Rio de Janeiro is found: a supposed reduction in the population’s interest in public spaces, encouraged by the technological advances of the last decades, suffers a fulminating blow with the emergence of the new coronavirus and the adoption of social isolation as a protective measure. Social (and political) activities become exclusively virtual, while the streets turn out empty. The individualizing process that was already sneakily manifesting itself is now imposing itself. Does the impossibility of being physically in the city’s spaces cause an increase in the desire to experience these places? Trying to understand the momentary situation better, we applied a questionnaire as a method of collecting information. This questionnaire was designed, tested and applied, and its results are presented in detail to point out possible intercessions between society, the city and the practice of social distancing. The objective of the present work, to understand the relationship between Cariocas and the city’s PLSLs, led us not only to confirm that this relationship exists, but also to the understanding that it is so necessary for the quality of life of society that it ‘survives’ in the face of the numerous problems pointed out.