As galerias comerciais em Juiz de Fora após os anos 2000: demandas, agentes e projetos

Abstract

The present document is the result of a research about the theme city and commerce that approaches as object of empirical study the arcades built in Juiz de Fora after the years 2000. The central area of Juiz de Fora is marked by several arcades that, together with the boardwalks, form an "open shopping mall". Currently, a city undergoes through a process of polynuclearization and distribution of new shopping centers. In this same period, after a recession in the construction of new arcades, the city receives two exemplars of this typology. There are some studies that point out an importance of the arcades for a maintenance of the centrality of the downtown area of Juiz de Fora, however, this research left a gap about the agents responsible for production of the arcades buildings in the city. The objective of the research was evidenced by the specificities of the architectural projects, the supposed reasons by which the arcades continue to be built in Juiz de Fora and identify their producing agents. Following this premise, it was placed this questions: why is the typology of arcades currently repeated in Juiz de Fora, what are the demands of the contemporary architectural project, and also, what are the agents responsible for its production? Thus, the dissertation followed a methodology based on a literature review with the purpose of collecting data on how arcades in the world, especially in Juiz de Fora. Empirically, two galleries constructed after the year 2000 were analyzed through field observation and photographic and filmographic surveys. After identifying the agents participating in the actions that lead the arcades construction, it was used the interviews feature to obtain accurate data and information on the actions that lead to a construction decision. The results of this research contribuited for the understanding of the production of the arcades in Juiz de Fora at the contemporary scenery. It was concluded that arcades buildings are produced by speculative real estate interest, which take advantage of their success as a commercial typology to gauge profits. Likewise, a production of new arcades is linked to the favorable space that is in the central area of the city, by taking advantage of the network flows established and, when pertinent, of the expansion where typology is nonexistent.