Rural and urban in Brazil: a methodological proposal for the classification of cities

Abstract

The concepts of rural and urban are used to distinguish two different ways of spatial seizure and organization as well as the social relationships which take place therein. From the viewpoint of Sociology these concepts lead to classical themes such as modern and traditional dichotomy and to country-city relationships. This paper analyzes how these two spatial ways are delimited in Brazil and examines the criteria that should be used in order to classify a locality as either rural or urban. Starting from a critique of the statistical and administrative classifications, we seek to establish a typology that takes into consideration the social processes that determine the territorial dynamics of Brazilian municipalities. The paper therefore strives to establish a relationship between the theoretical definitions as well as empirical territorial construction.