Paper short abstract:

Using a case of a flyover in São Paulo city, which is the only public place where vertical practices (abseiling, highlining, rope jump) happen daily and openly, despite regulations for decades, this paper intends to discuss possibilities of re-meaning over assumptions around urban architecture.

Paper long abstract:

Since the 1990's, many vertical practices have been taking place over the Sumaré flyover, in São Paulo city (Brazil). These practices, which happen despite regulation, challenge assumptions around the possibilities of relating to the place. The configuration and permanence of the vertical practices there establish a particular phenomenon of use and occupation of the verticality itself, transforming the composition of the view and the meanings attributed to this type of structure. Based on the observation of these practices, making a case from a current research field, I'd like to discuss potential places reframing effects by its agents, with or without active intention or awareness, on the functionality institutionally considered about the architectural equipment - such as walls, bridges and flyovers. The main purpose of this discussion is to identify ways in which vertical spatialities can establish their own relational and symbolic arena for sociabilities and agency to be recognized as such, and what they reveal about the corporalized relations in/with the city ​​and about city production. The subversive aspects of the autonomous permanence of vertical modalities practitioners, the tensions and negotiations that these subjects experience in relation to State agents can give clues to the place of the verticality in determining intended uses of space.