Comportamento de usuários versus acessibilidade solar: estudo de caso na Praça do Japão em Curitiba - PR

Abstract

The social activities are very important in the city life, where the information is exchanged through a wide spectrum of activities by means of observations or conversations. The city square represents a significant importance among the community, especially due to its social character, where among other benefits, it promotes user’s integration, coexistence, leisure and rest. Every Brazilian city has squares, though many are abandoned poor spaces and despite current public efforts, the city densification through high-rise buildings does affect environmental quality on the pedestrian level and consequently the social interactions. This study aims to understand the relation among human behavior, solar access and thermal sensation. The analysis was performed from on-site footage over 20 days through the four seasons in Curitiba, Brazil. The observation was performed by two standing cameras with timelapse function in 1.5-minute intervals facing two distinct views. The photos allowed to analyze the solar access in different times and seasons, the human behavior in resting areas as choice of shade (building shade, partially shaded by trees or in the sun) and length of stay. The outdoor comfort index PET was calculated from data measured at the official meteorological station. It was concluded that the climatic conditions over the four seasons did elicit a climate-conscious usage of shaded/sun-lit areas.