Vazios urbanos e patrimônio: os antigos eixos das Trincheiras e do Tambiá na cidade de João Pessoa, PB

Abstract

The Rua das Trincheiras and the old Rua do Tambiá have been important axis for the expansion of the capital of Paraíba in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, having a relevant architectural collection that portrays the evolution of the way of living in the city. However, with the urban expansion towards the seafront, a process of abandonment of the central area by its old inhabitants was triggered, resulting in the change of land uses and the formation of urban voids and underutilization of properties, contributing to the patrimonial degradation and non-fulfillment of the social function of central spaces. This research seeks to demonstrate the role that the process of emptying and not using properties of the historic center of João Pessoa, as a phenomenon resulting from the social production of space, plays in reducing the integrity and conservation of the heritage assets at Rua das Trincheiras and the extension of Av. João da Mata, and the axis of the old Rua do Tambiá, composed by Rua Dep. Odon Bezerra and Av. Mons. Walfredo Leal, within the protection perimeter of the Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage of the State of Paraíba (IPHAEP), in the city of João Pessoa, PB. To achieve that, there was investment in bibliographic research about the historical contextualization and recognition of the universe of study, as well as on the contemporary concept of urban void and historic heritage. The collection and analysis of data on the properties have been supported by the in loco survey and field research, especially on the data provided by IPHAEP and PMJP. Based on the surveys, it has been possible to map and classify properties according to vacancy categories – vacant lot, vacant building, underused lot or underused building – and evaluate them according to adopted indicators. The results of the work have contributed for the understanding of the current situation of the architectural heritage of historical-cultural value and the dynamics of the central area and surroundings, with a view to the preservation of heritage properties, as it is also alert to the fulfillment of the social function of buildings and lots located in an area provided with infrastructure and with great potential for use.