José Avelino Street Fair: Public Space Uses and Questions about Heritage - Fortaleza - CE

Abstract

The use of public space reveals practices, customs and economic activities of society at a given place. This article aims to analyze the uses of public space of José Avelino Street, where, currently, there is a market of clothing production stablished, and its relationship to the historical heritage of Fortaleza. This activity is realization streamlines the street, its surroundings and attracts retailers from Ceará is inland cities and other states of the Northeast. In 2012 the Town Hall published a decree that listed the street is paving as a cultural heritage site where part of this Fair is located. This action should ensure the protection and conservation of the listed site; however, there are neither informative signs, nor works of awareness made on the importance of this legal initiative. Nowadays, the street gathers some shops, galleries and small retail center that are linked directly to the Fair. Analysis of the street, through its uses, identified the different uses of passersby and people who attended and still attend that public space. Photographic records were taken in the field, research in newspapers and libraries, preparation of maps, literature review on the subject and interviews with merchants and employees of the Fair were also made.