Revisitando modelos de planejamento de espaços livres: como as formas respondem a questões contemporâneas / Revisiting green spaces planning models: how spatial forms respond to contemporary issues

Since the 19th century, green spaces have been proposed as part of city planning models to establish places for social interaction. It is known that there is a relationship between the presence of open and green spaces, their connectivity, and the quantity and quality of species that inhabit them. Studies are now focused on understanding how the built spaces can be accommodated with the least interference to the flow of fauna and flora. This literature review surveys how the geometry of projected green space systems, or planning models, offer intrinsic potentialities or drawbacks to address social and ecological functions. The article presents a conceptual analysis of the planning models of green wedges, green belts, and greenways, examining the fundamental concepts of green infrastructure and highlights the connections between spatial forms and functions derived from these forms as they are presented in the literature. Then it shows examples of these models applied to real cities, in both urban and regional scales. The three models studied are connected green infrastructures, but they behave differently mainly regarding the connection of forested areas and the proximity and distribution of green spaces throughout the city. The critical analysis presented in this article indicates that forms really matter, as potentials that they are, for other actions on green spaces to guarantee their ecological or social functions. These examples can help in city planning and design decisions and contribute to the search for more efficient spatial forms more responsive to the growing challenges of sustainability.