Espaço UEM (revitalização e requalificação do espaço verde do campus UEM), caso de estudo: jardim da árvore da sabedoria

Abstract

Without qualified spaces for social interaction, university life loses part of its collective meaning. On the campus of the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, despite its historical, symbolic, and social importance, many outdoor spaces remain underused, functioning mainly as circulation areas, lacking identity and adequate conditions for permanence. This situation contributes to a fragmented campus experience, where the time between classes is spent in an improvised and uncomfortable manner. By nature, the university campus is a space where not only formal knowledge is built, but also social relationships, cultural exchanges, and everyday experiences that are fundamental to students’ academic and human development. However, the lack of well-structured public spaces for informal study, rest, social interaction, and small meals limits the campus’s potential as a place of coexistence and belonging. In a context of accelerated urban growth and increasingly demanding academic routines, it becomes essential to rethink the role of outdoor campus spaces by valuing existing green areas and transforming them into active social infrastructures. The creation of outdoor social spaces thus emerges as a response to the real needs of students, promoting well-being, integration, and quality of life during their time on campus. Therefore, this work proposes the design of a public social space integrated into the landscape, capable of articulating functionality, comfort, and a strong relationship with the natural environment. Architecture is understood here not only as built form, but as a mediating tool between people, space, and use, contributing to a more human, inclusive, and responsive university environment.