Arborização pública e desenho urbano na cidade do Rio de Janeiro: a contribuição de Roberto Burle Marx

Abstract

This thesis addresses the role played by the urban trees in the design of Rio de Janeiro's public open spaces. It looks particularly at the contribution of the landscape designer Roberto Burle Marx in this city. The research has as a case study four areas located at Rio de Janeiro's waterfront: Praça Salgado Filho, Parque do Flamengo, Praia de Botafogo and Avenida Atlântica. These areas reveal Burle Marx importance for the construction of the city's landscape, as well as his remarkable contribution concerning the use of urban trees in public spaces. Three categories of analysis are developed in this study, covering different aspects of urban trees: the botanical aspect, related to the use of species in open space design; the relationships established between urban trees and urban design; and finally the links developed between people and trees. The research highlights the unique way Burle Marx articulates the trees in his public open space design schemes, taking advantage of the species' characteristics and aesthetics potentialities, within an arrangement so that the trees organize and structure the open spaces' design. This study also brings a list of 31 trees and palms introduced for the first time in public spaces, one of Burle Marx's hallmarks in terms of landscape design, which was a very important step in enhancing the horticultural vocabulary available for urban and landscape designers. Finally, the research points out to the different values and meanings the trees hold for local population, bringing a contribution to a new trend in the academic literature dedicated to the study of urban trees.