LEISURE EXPERIENCES IN THE CITY: THE DAILY LIFE OF PRAÇA DE BOLSO DO CICLISTA IN CURITIBA, PARANÁ

Abstract

As a collective micro-revolution and a landmark of bicycle culture in Curitiba, PR, Praça de Bolso do Ciclista (PBC), or Pocket Biker’s Square, is a small public space whose implementation process revealed significant issues for life in that city. The purpose of this study was to describe the ways of appropriating PBC, focusing on the daily life experienced after its opening, based on leisure experiences. This is a qualitative case study using documents, systematic observations, photographic records and semi-structured interviews as sources of evidence. The forms of appropriation were gradually modified after the opening of the square – a space with several uses and which, even with all its controversies resulting from a fast and intense appropriation of the place, also became a space for political and civic action by ‘gentle activism’ (COOMBS, 2012) it promotes, accommodating new and diverse social relations but also highlighting existing ones based on activities experienced in leisure.