WHEN THE STREET GIVES WAY TO THE SIDEWALK: THE ÍNDIO BANDEIRA BOARDWALK CASE IN CAMPO MOURÃO-PR, BRAZIL

Abstract

The street as a public space has in its origins the character of non-place, creating barriers both physical and symbolic, thus favoring the automobile in counterpoint to urbanity. However, since the end of the 20th Century, such scenery has been modified by the replacement of street lanes and parking lots for parks and other pedestrian areas. In Campo Mourão-PR, Capitão Índio Bandeira Avenue was reduced to give way to a boardwalk with the same name. Considering that, we aim at understanding the process of elaboration of the project, its fulfillment and the usability of Índio Bandeira Boardwalk, highlighting its social, cultural, economic and spatial transformations. We understand that throughout Campo Mourão's history, the boardwalk assumes an important role for its citizens, considering that it is perhaps the most important urban work in the town, representing a historical mark of “before and after”.