The potential of bamboo as a raw material: Codesign of market stalls to strengthen productive and social life in urban peripheral communities

This work is part of a master's thesis in design, aiming to disseminate the potential of bamboo as a raw material for artifacts that support productive and social life in urban peripheral communities. Conducted in the Confisco and Coqueiros communities, peripheral regions of Belo Horizonte - MG with high socioeconomic vulnerability, the study identified that local artisans faced difficulties in selling their products due to the high cost of renting market stalls. In this context, a low-cost, detachable, compact, easy-to-assemble, and durable stall was developed using Phyllostachys aurea bamboo, designed to be produced with simple tools by the artisans themselves. The design methodology employed was the “double diamond,” combined with codesign. The results indicate that this solution can strengthen the artisans' productive and economic autonomy, contribute to sustainability and quality of life in vulnerable communities, and create new job opportunities.