Smartphones, Smart Spaces? The Use of Locative Media in Urban Space in Curitiba, Brazil

Abstract

In recent years, the use of mobile devices has grown considerably. This technology has become responsible for merging different communication systems, into a single universe, creating situations of dependence and belonging. More recently, urban management has been using smartphones and applications as auxiliary tools in identifying and solving urban demands. In this paper, the authors question how the use of these devices influences the use of urban space, in terms of recognition, permanence and valorization. This research aims to characterize influences of the use of smartphones in the urban environment, from the identification of possible impacts related to the use of apps. This research, based on simplified discourse analysis, categorizes applications using them as enlightening objects for theoretical concepts. Results show that the concept of augmented space is recognizable, which is present not only in the relations between people and technologies, but also in the incentive or discouragement of the use of space.