Interactions between environment and landscape

simulations of the impacts underlying environmental perception

Abstract

Objective –This article analyzes the impacts of urban transformations on user perception, considering physical and sensory changes in the built space based on computer simulations. The case study is Affonso João Senff Square, located in the Santa Mônica neighborhood of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. It was chosen due to its strategic importance as an urban subcenter and a connecting element in the city's Open Space System.

Methodology –The research assesses the consequences of the changes proposed in the municipal Master Plan, particularly regarding natural lighting, visibility, rational use of space, and environmental comfort, using parametric modeling and environmental simulations to measure phenomena such as solar radiation, shading, and sky visibility. The tools used, integrated with Rhinoceros 3D software and the Grasshopper plugin, allowed the recreation of the urban landscape and the controlled alteration of urban parameters. With the support of the Ladybug plugin, specific analyses were generated, including hours of sunlight, incident radiation, solar masks, visibility indices, and field of view.

Originality/Relevance – The study highlights the importance of computer simulations as a strategic resource for urban planning, allowing for the prediction and visualization of environmental, social, and perceptual impacts before implementing changes.

Results – The results reveal that the increase in building height, encouraged by recent urban developments, tends to reduce sunlight and visibility of the horizon and sky, altering the sensory experience and usage patterns of the square. Behavioral observations indicated that activities such as children's leisure, rest, and casual encounters are directly dependent on the environmental configuration.

Theoretical/Methodological Contributions – Assisting in the development and review of master plans, the proposed methodology promotes transparency and social participation, making the effects of urban policies more understandable to the population and promoting a balance between building density and environmental quality.

Social and Environmental Contributions – The reduction in natural light and the change in the scale of buildings can affect thermal comfort, social vitality, and even local vegetation, interfering with the dynamics of lingering and the urban memory of visitors. The loss of visual connections and human scale can also impact the sense of safety and the convivial character of the space.