Public spaces and the coronavirus pandemic: the Halfeld Park (Parque Halfeld), located in the city of Juiz de Fora/Minas Gerais

Abstract

The theme of this article is immobility, in essence. When substantially all of humanity is forced to either reduce its usual flows or systematize them into "essential" and "non-essential," the Municipality of Juiz de Fora started to observe one of its most traditional public spaces becoming a source of infection and consequently a symbol of necessary containment. Under those circumstances, this study aimed to analyze the mobility restrictions in favor of public health plus the efforts of the local government through a bibliographic review about the specific set of the Halfeld Park (Parque Halfeld). Primary sources highlight the emerging need to guarantee the best conditions for public spaces in the current context (the “new normal”) in any city. In effect, this work contributes to the discussion about rethinking cities, as well as providing data that prove faulty urban planning and management when dealing with this crisis: palliative actions are not enough.