La avenida cambiante: las transformaciones de la Avenida Paulista en São Paulo y la construcción de su centralidad lineal

Abstract

This article investigates the main functional and morphological changes at the Paulista avenue, placed in the heart of the metropolis of São Paulo. It intends to explicate the conditions of its centrality and also its role as a citizen space. Used for public parties and protests, this avenue is also the metro way, and condenses a significant mix of uses. Paulista is a financial, cultural, commercial, institutional and social center, all together. To study it we will search for the transformations occurred along the history, focusing on the changes at the ground floor, building typology, uses, and at the public and collective space contours. Our analysis are based on the historical documents interpretation, and on drawing elaborated since information collected in situ. Finally we try to insert this work in the academic discussion about the street as a potential conductor and articulation of collective spaces, centrality, urbanity and of its contours.