O LUGAR DA AGRICULTURA URBANA: UM OLHAR SOBRE O ESPAÇO PÚBLICO DO BAIRRO JARDIM TROPICAL, SERRA-ES

Abstract

The cultivated plants are a striking feature of the urban landscape; in the case of the public portion of the popular Jardim Tropical neighborhood, located in the municipality of Serra, state of Espírito Santo (ES), in Brazil (BR), there are shade and fruit trees, medicinal, food and ornamental plants that make up the sidewalks and beds of streets, empty lots, squares, front yards and balconies. The objective of this research was to discuss the distribution and function, in the public portion of the neighborhood, of cultivated plants, considered as incipient expressions of the multifunctionality of urban agriculture, and that can mitigate local socio-environmental problems, more effectively, according to the intensity of community relations. Existing. The methodology used consisted of geo-historical documental research on the neighborhood, theoretical research on concepts related to urban agriculture, such as urban space, place, geography of emotions, identity and territorial belonging; field observation of plants grown throughout the neighborhood; in conducting ten interviews with residents who care for plants in public spaces, preferably from diversified and extensive crops. In the search for an understanding of the geographicity of plants cultivated in public urban space, the results pointed to the existence of a resilient green landscape, in movement in time and space, cared for mainly by people aged close to 60 years old, who have already had a rural experience; cultivators share part of what is produced, namely food, medicinal and ornamental plants, seedlings and seeds Resources such as work, knowledge, tools, fertilizer, land and material for fencing are also shared; the landscaping formed by plants beautifies, attracts birds and people; All of this helps in the main thing: building community and participatory relationships that revalue public space and feed the utopia of a healthier society.