Calçadas manauaras e idosos: desafios urbanísticos na capital do Amazonas

• Ano de defesa: 2010
• Autor(a) principal: Coulibaly, Ieda Guedes Simões
• Orientador(a): Karsch, Ursula Margarida
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Tipo de acesso: Acesso aberto
• Idioma: por
• Instituição de defesa: Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo
• Programa de Pós-Graduação: Programa de Estudos Pós-Graduados em Gerontologia
• Departamento: Gerontologia
• País: BR
• Palavras-chave em Português: Calçadas manauaras; Idosos; Situações de riscos
• Palavras-chave em Inglês: Sidewalks from Manaus; Elderly people; Hazard situations
• Área do conhecimento CNPq: CNPQ::CIENCIAS SOCIAIS APLICADAS::SERVICO SOCIAL
• Link de acesso: https://tede2.pucsp.br/handle/handle/12362

This paper is concerned with the issue of accessibility and mobility of elderly people in urban spaces. The study was conducted in the capital city of Manaus, Amazon State, Brazil, focusing specifically on its sidewalks. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, images of Manaus sidewalks were captured and interviews with 14 elderly people were recorded in May 2010. The main goal of the study is to analyze the impact of obstacles hindering circulation of the elderly population in the urban environment. The study also sought to outline a demographic and social profile of elderly individuals who circulate along public sidewalks; find out the architectural framework for these spaces; identify imminent hazards for the elderly population; make the sidewalk infrastructure public; and contribute to the implementation of public policies focused on basic criteria to promote accessibility and mobility for Manaus residents. Results from interviews were grouped into six analytical categories as defined from recommendations of the Sidewalk for All Program, a pedestrian-safety education campaign developed by the Manaus City Government. The subjects of this research are elderly people of both sexes, among whom 6 (43%) are male and 8 (57%) are female, aged between 60-79 years old and average age of 70 years old; all respondents have basic education, whereas most of them (7 or 49%) are high school graduates. The research found that 6 respondents (42%) were born in the city of Manaus; 9 (63%) are retired; 4 (28%) walk to work; and all 14 respondents said there were obstacles on public sidewalks, while 11 found it difficult to walk along them. As a final consideration, the study highlighted potential hazards for the biopsychosocial integrity of pedestrians, especially elderly people who walk along public sidewalks and streets often at risk of tripping and falling or getting run over, which may lead to serious accidents or even death. The research has also contributed to replicable methodological procedures. As a stimulant to action and reflection, we suggest that this study should be further deepened involving a larger number of respondents from other Brazilian capital cities so as to mobilize citizens and implement public spaces in local communities to enhance community life