Urban landscape, public spaces, and territorial management in medium-sized cities in São Paulo: reflections from São Carlos, SP, Brazil

This paper discusses the relationships between urban landscape, public spaces, and territorial management in one medium-sized city of São Paulo state. Three sets of approach are outlined: the establishment of parameters for the characterization of the medium-sized cities of São Paulo; the specific context of São Carlos, with biophysical characteristics conjugated with the socio-spatial dynamics of development and expansion; and the challenges and perspectives in the configuration and management of public spaces and urban landscapes. It is intended to reflect on articulations between the fields of landscape and urban planning and indicate applications to the studied context, with integrations between design, instruments, legislation and public policies.