Mobilidade pedonal no contexto de anéis viários: análise territorial e proposições para um trecho do Anel Viário de São Luís

Abstract

Throughout the 20th century, Brazil witnessed the large-scale construction of highways, roads, viaducts, and road widening projects, which promoted the intensive use of private vehicles. The need for daily commuting, increased traffic in urban areas, haphazard city growth, and other factors have impacted mobility and road infrastructure, particularly in central areas where a significant portion of essential daily activities is concentrated. This has led to issues such as severe congestion and a lack of urban mobility. In this context, the construction of Ring Roads has emerged as an urban tool aimed at improving the transportation system by diverting the flow of goods and passengers away from central areas. Brazilian legislation (National Urban Mobility Policy - Law No. 12,587 of 2012) defines urban mobility as a condition that allows for the movement of people and goods across the territory. It is important to note that ring roads, or bypasses, fall under a type of road infrastructure focused primarily on addressing transportation issues, raising questions about their ability to accommodate other modes of mobility and accessibility on a human scale. The São Luís Ring Road encircles the city's central area, with part of it passing through the Historic Site, significantly influencing the city's mobility and transportation system. Therefore, the objective is to assess active pedestrian mobility within the São Luís Ring Road and propose guidelines for a specific section of the area. To achieve this, it will be necessary to understand the morphology of Ring Roads, their influence on urban planning, and emphasize how the origin of the Ring Road within São Luís' historical context is fundamental to understanding the advances and changes over the years. This understanding will then allow for an assessment of the potential strengths and weaknesses of the specific area where guidelines will be proposed.