Praça Oscar e Margarida: anteprojeto de um centro comercial em Areia Preta, Natal/RN

Abstract

This final undergraduate project proposes the development of a mixed-use commercial center on the seafront of Areia Preta, in Natal, Brazil, taking as a starting point the reflection on the role of urban voids and the social function of property in highly valued areas. The aim is to demonstrate that local economic development can be achieved without resorting to excessive verticalization, by adopting principles of sustainability, social interaction, and landscape integration. Methodologically, the research combines a theoretical review on urban vitality, the right to landscape, and human-centered design — based on authors such as Gehl and Jacobs — with an analysis of current urban legislation (Natal’s 2022 Master Plan and 2024 Building Code) and case studies of open-air commercial centers. The resulting architectural proposal seeks to reconcile collective and public uses, enhancing visual permeability and accessibility, while requalifying the immediate surroundings, including the adjacent public lookout. The project is organized into low-rise volumes of up to three floors, respecting the existing height limit and prioritizing sea-oriented façades, thermal comfort, and the encouragement of non-motorized transport. As a result, the design demonstrates that urban enhancement can occur in a balanced and inclusive way, strengthening the coastal landscape and the social character of the waterfront. It is concluded that reconciling urban vitality, sustainability, and the social function of space is feasible even in contexts of intense real estate pressure, offering a replicable model for other Brazilian coastal areas.