Avaliação da qualidade de vida e os espaços livres públicos de Juiz de Fora, MG

Abstract

Public Open Spaces (POS) are places that have physical structure for various types of activities, influencing, when in good condition, the physical and psychological health of the population, meeting the needs of recreation and configuring as a good quality urban environment. Some studies have shown that living close to the POS can lead to impacts on the quality of life and many studies correlates it with people's health. However, these studies are often carried out in larger parks and spaces and therefore, there are still few studies that point out the impacts of small POS, such as urban squares, on the quality of life and well-being of residents close to them. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine to what extent living near urban squares influences the population's quality of life. For this, the WHOQOL-BREF Protocol, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which deals with individual perception in relation to quality of life, was applied to residents near two squares in Juiz de Fora - MG (in radius of 250, 500 and 1000m from the squares) before the pandemic, with a total of 90 people per square. Then, during pandemic, the questionnaire was reapplied considering two radiuses: 500 and 1000m (Procedure 1), totaling 60 people per square. In addition, the questionnaire was applied to the whole population of the city, regardless of the square, in which the participants indicate the average distance from their residence to the nearest square (Procedure 2). The data were statistically treated indicating correlations between the sample characteristics and the peoples’ perceptions about the quality of life were conducted. In addition, the frequency of visits to the POS and their importance in the quality of life and health, and the proximity of the square's housing and the impacts on health and chronic diseases indicated by the participants were indicated. In addition, the results of the two squares before and during the pandemic were compared, giving an overview of the quality of life in both cases. Procedure 2 indicates that there is no significative difference in the interviewees' quality of life in relation to the POS distance from home. However, some aspects, such as the frequency of use of the squares, have a positive influence on the quality of life of residents. In addition, the closest residents to the POS indicated higher average scores than the others in relation to leisure opportunities, healthy environment, and sense of security. This research presents relevant results for urban planning indicating a possible relationship between the square and the quality of life of people, since the closest residents had average scores higher than the others in relation to leisure opportunities, health of the environment in which they live and sensation of security.