BRAZIL URBAN DESIGN
a cross cultural townscape study
Starting the journey through Pelotas's Centro district - downtown - the observers eye is immediately drawn towards the high-rise tower in the distance. An incident in the skyline, the tower forms a distinctive landmark. At a lower level, we can see the emergence of a street rhythm created by the regular division of building plots.
Further down the street, the observer is met with a large colourful building. Maintaining a regular sense of rhythm, the deflected facade appears to usher the observer onwards. Interestingly, note the uniformity of size and height of the other surrounding buildings.
The end of the journey. On the left, the observer will notice more examples of Pelotas's graffiti art, a prominent feature in the area surround the university. On the right hand side lies the Pelotas Urbanismo Department building, marking our final destination.
Starting the journey through Pelotas's Centro district - downtown - the observers eye is immediately drawn towards the high-rise tower in the distance. An incident in the skyline, the tower forms a distinctive landmark. At a lower level, we can see the emergence of a street rhythm created by the regular division of building plots.
Pelotas - the 'grid' city
Pelotas is a city host to a network of rigid grids, with many roads continuing in the same direction for miles in a straight line. Add to this the effect of regular street rhythm and a similar level of building heights, and the place can feel - at times - particularly monotonous walking round, if not confusing. Yet Pelotas is also home to many beautiful historical buildings that occasionally present themselves in the towns urban environment. Rich with colour and architectural detail, these buildings are a stark contrast to much of the rest of the city's buildings. Towards the university district, the presence of graffiti became almost unmissable, with many unused facades covered in bright, colourful and interesting patterns. As if in response to some areas stark urban form, this graffiti has allowed some of its inhabitants to 'reclaim' and define the space through its use.