On time, space and the leisure experience: some reflections

Abstract

The study examines the interrelationships between time, space, and leisure, investigating how these dimensions influence social practices and human experiences in public spaces. It is based on empirical research conducted at the Prof. Hermógenes Freitas Leitão Filho Ecological Park, in Campinas (SP), with the objective of understanding how leisure reflects the productivist logic of contemporaneity. The research used systematic observations and interviews with park goers, as well as a theoretical review anchored in authors such as Harvey and Baudrillard. The study highlights the primacy of time over space in social theory and everyday practices, revealing how leisure, often associated with freedom, is conditioned by demands for efficiency and productivity. Activities carried out in the park, such as walking and physical exercise, were described by the participants as instruments to achieve objectives such as health and aesthetics, evidencing a transposition of work obligations to "free" time. Leisure, therefore, appears impregnated by the logic of performance and utility. The results point to the need to reframe leisure, promoting more authentic, contemplative and connected experiences to nature. An approach that breaks with the productivist logic is suggested, allowing experiences of interiorization and relaxation. This perspective contributes to a better understanding of leisure practices in public spaces and can support the development of public policies that value the quality of these experiences for collective well-being.