POST-OCCUPANCY EVALUATION (POE) OF CULTURE HERITAGE: A STUDY CASE OF CENTRAL PLAZA OF AVENIDA GETÚLIO VARGAS IN CAROLINA/MA

Abstract

This article discusses the application of a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) in the central plaza in Carolina, MA. As a historical and cultural heritage site, this square underwent an intervention through a construction project in 2022, which prompted the need to evaluate its performance after the renovation. Data collection and research were conducted regarding the square, its occupancy process, and its users, including bibliographical references dating back to the 1960s, as well as the characterization of its surroundings. The methodology used for this article began with the topic of cultural heritage, landscaped squares, urban squares, and post-occupancy evaluation, followed by qualitative methods such as POE and on-site data collection for recognition of the study environment. Field analyses, mappings, and a user evaluation questionnaire regarding the square provided a reflection on the performance of public space construction projects that are part of a historical heritage, generating results for possible future reforms and projects.