Space: images and graphical representations

Research projects:

Digital library of historical cartography

Description: Scanning of cartographic material of historical and geographical interest held under the coordination of Prof. Dr. Iris Kantor (professor at the History program of USP), in a partnership between Cátedra Jaime Cortesão, the Computer Centre of São Carlos, and the Institute of Brazilian Studies (IEB). The initiative integrates the thematic project called Dimensões do Império Português [Dimensions of the Portuguese Empire].

Professor in charge: Vanderli Custódio (lili@uninet.com.br)

 

Typological identification methodology of spatial occupation forms of precarious settlements in São Paulo

Description: The need for identification of areas occupied by precarious settlement is rapidly growing, since the number of slums in cities around the world is increasing and its quality is deteriorating. Currently, around one billion people live in precarious conditions in the world and it is expected that the number will grow to 1.4 billion by 2020. However, the correct identification of precarious settlements is problematic for several reasons: many local governments do not have the mechanisms to monitor urban growth in a systematic way, even less to monitor informal urban growth. According to UM-HABITAT, 80 cities in a sample of 120 do not have surveillance systems to monitor the changes that occur in the urban spatial dimension (Urban Indicators Program, 2005 apud SLIUZAS, R. ET al., 2008, p. 2). Precarious settlements, as part of the informal growth, are more relevant than the formal growth in many cities around the developing world. In fact, these areas grow more quickly than the formal urban areas (SLIUZAS, R. ET al., 2008). Different countries keep different information patterns, which complicates the interventions by local authorities (IBID., p. 1). In the case of the city of São Paulo, there are great efforts of municipal public power, in competition with State Government bodies and with the Union’s resources to, as signatory of the Millennium Development Goals, with particular attention to fulfil Target 11, urbanise the precarious settlements, whether slums or irregular allotments, from a technical-strategic prioritisation for this intervention. For the reasons previously mentioned, we intend to establish, with the assistance of this research project, a methodology that allows the topological identification of housing units in precarious settlements in the city of São Paulo.

Professor in charge: Reinaldo Paul Pérez Machado (rpmgis@usp.br)

 

EuroBroadMap Project

Description: Visions of Europe: project involving 13 universities and research centres to get the mental images of students regarding Europe. It involves research regarding migrations, flows, and relations between Europe and the other countries.

Professor in charge: Neli Aparecida de Mello (namello@usp.br)

 

Graphical representation and digital cartography applied to Geography

Description: Studies on cartographic representation, evaluation, and development of techniques and applications in digital cartography.

Professor in charge: Marcello Martinelli (m_martinelli@superig.com.br)

 

Remote sensing and geoprocessing applied to planning

Description: Studies, evaluations, and development of techniques and applications in geoprocessing and remote sensing.

Professor in charge: Reinaldo Raul Perez Machado (rpmgis@usp.br)