A critical historical analysis of the evolution of Brasília and the role of the South Cultural Sector (SCS) as a public cultural space in the civic center

This material investigates how modernist urbanism was applied in the creation of Brasília, considering its political and symbolic aspects, and how it influenced the configuration of public spaces. In addition to exploring their evolution based on an analysis that focuses specifically on the South Cultural Sector (SCS), a central area originally conceived by Lúcio Costa to be a cultural park integrated into the modernist urban fabric of the city. The SCS is an area that clearly reflects the ideals of modernist planning and also the issues that have arisen throughout history due to social, political, and functional transformations. The research examines the fundamental principles of modernist urbanism, architectural and symbolic intentions, their translation into the Brasília project and, in particular, into the guidelines of the Pilot Plan and the Southern Cultural Sector based on the heritage restrictions resulting from Brasília's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, this thesis offers a critical historical analysis of how space, memory, and function interact in the public sphere of Brasília, reflecting on the contrasts between the utopian proposal of the planners and the reality experienced today, marked by challenges of use, conservation, and integration of these spaces into everyday urban life. The study draws on works by leading contemporary urban planning authors such as Bruno Latour, David Harvey, Jane Jacobs, and Christoph Brumann to investigate issues related to spatial appropriation, symbolic reinterpretation, and heritage management. Through a combination of historical research, documentary analysis, and cartography, the study maps the transformations in the use of buildings, preservation strategies, and civic and cultural manifestations that have redefined the SCS in recent decades. This thesis seeks to contribute to a theoretical basis that allows us to understand the relevance of modernist projects, their practical applicability, and their influence on urban dynamics and public spaces. In addition, it discusses the right to reinterpret and inhabit symbolic spaces in a more inclusive, participatory manner that is aligned with contemporary demands. This work also considers the tensions between heritage conservation and urban renewal. By articulating heritage, social practice, and urban design, the work contributes to the debate on the reinvention of modernist spaces in the context of contemporary cities undergoing transformation.