Relationships between rivers and railways in nature-based urbanization processes

Abstract

This study explores nature-based urbanization processes in the Velhas River basin, located in Minas Gerais, Brazil, emphasizing the relationships between the natural environment, cultural knowledge, and the use of technology over time. Four historical phases are analyzed, each defined by a predominant type of route: fluvial, colonial, railway, and highway. In the 19th century, railroads were built following the riverbeds, connecting mining regions and fostering industrial growth, particularly in the steel sector. This period reflects a relatively harmonious coexistence between nature and technical infrastructure, which supported the emergence of cities such as Sabará and Ouro Preto. However, the transition to road transport in the 20th century—driven by the 1944 National Road Plan—disrupted this balance. The prioritization of roads and automobiles led to severe environmental impacts, the decline of river and rail-based routes, and the development of cities increasingly detached from their natural landscapes. The study is grounded in Yuk Hui’s concept of cosmotechnics, highlighting that technological practices are always embedded within specific cultural and environmental contexts, and that rivers should be regarded as living agents in the construction of territory.