WALKABILITY AND ARCHITECTURAL CAPITAL: The Logic of Pedestrian Network Appropriation in Brasília – DF
Pedestrian Mobility; Walkability; Space Syntax; Plano Piloto Bus Station; Capitals
This research investigates walkability in the areas adjacent to Brasília’s Plano Piloto Bus Station and how pedestrians from diverse social groups appropriate these spaces. Grounded in the theoretical contributions of Space Syntax and Frederico de Holanda's concept of Architectural Capital, as well as Bourdieu’s capital theories, the study analyzes the dynamics of pedestrian flows, encounters, and evasions within the urban context. Located between the "center of civil society" and the "center of the State," the Bus Station attracts a diverse range of pedestrian profiles and serves as a crucial point for mobility and social interaction in the city. The research adopts a mixed-method approach with action research, where pedestrians actively participate as key agents. Methodological steps include a literature review, empirical data collection, and both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Data collection will be conducted in person during the dry season (between May and September), utilizing pedestrian counts, visual records, and semi-structured interviews to capture the subjects' perceptions of infrastructure and walkability. Tools such as iCam, QGIS, and axial map design will be employed to evaluate the pathway network and the Spatial Flow Capital (CAflu) of pedestrians. Ultimately, the study aims to highlight the influence of walking barriers and potentials on pedestrians, as well as the role these individuals play in pathway choices and the appropriation of the city—particularly Brasília’s central area. The final considerations will address study limitations and suggest directions for future research, enhancing the understanding of public space appropriation in planned cities.