Open Public Spaces and the Vita Activa

Abstract

Free spaces are of great importance for cities—although they are often treated poorly by public and private agents—as spaces of daily life, as places of coexistence at the most diverse scales, as preferred loci of political manifestations and many other social practices. Free spaces are also the main elements capable of providing environmental services in urban areas. The public relevance of free spaces in Brazilian capitals, metropolis, and medium-sized cities is the theme discussed in this chapter. It presents a system of concepts that allow a better understanding of the theme and that may prove useful for the production of public policies seriously interested in improving the quality of urban spaces in Brazilian cities and metropolises in special, but is not limited to the reality of this country.