CIDADES, Comunidades e Territórios

Temporal rupture of everyday experiences

2024-12-27T14:23:29+00:00

The collapse of the Fundão dam, owned by Samarco company, on November 5, 2015, marked one of the worst socio-environmental disasters in Brazil. The collapse devastated the Doce River basin and communities like Paracatu de Baixo, in Mariana, Minas Gerais. The site has become a symbol of demands for compensation and the preservation of its cultural heritage. This research aims to reflect on how Paracatu de Baixo, now composed of ruins, reverberates its cultural heritage through emotional ties, becoming a symbol of resistance, allowing the community to reaffirm its identities and place in history through the understanding and use of its sensitive past. The methodology of the article consists of bibliographic research and documentary research through community reports in the A Sirene newspaper, associated with photographic records of the location conducted through observational research. Content analysis of different references allowed for reflections on how the maintenance of the community logic and the preservation of memories are essential to ensuring local identities in the context of the tragedy. The catastrophe exposed complex social relations and the neglect of the victims, highlighting the urgency of recognizing affected memories and cultural identities. It is concluded that the changes in the territory must not only record the sensitive past of the dam collapse but also the emotional heritage that denotes the bonds between the community and its (other) place.

From opacity to image luminosity: the wall interfaces

2024-11-26T17:42:22+00:00

The wall is a physical manifestation of historical, social, political, and economic segregation processes, but it also has countless subjectivities linked to the growing individualization of society. Because of its complexity, the wall is a barrier that presents faces and interfaces that are part of the same structure but have singularities and differential impacts on public space. By understanding fences as drifting elements susceptible to mutation, graffiti is evoked as an artistic practice that can activate and enhance the interfaces of the wall in urban areas. This paper aims to present the potential of graffiti in activating the interface between the wall and the public space, articulated through collective actions. To this end, an analysis of a Brazilian case in the peripheral region of Campinas – São Paulo is presented, supported by a systematic literature review and an observation mapping. The graffiti created welcoming environments where it was executed and stimulated other dynamics of use and appropriation of these places, re-signifying parts of the neighborhood in the sense of territorialization and belonging. The findings suggest potential avenues for fostering practices of appropriation, thereby charting a course towards enhanced vitality in contemporary urban environments, particularly in regions facing infrastructure and community facility deficiencies. Local identity is upheld to the extent that urban space and landscape are designated as belonging to and being the right of every citizen, thereby affirming their value.

The construction of the water supply network in Barreiro (Setúbal)

2024-12-02T14:38:34+00:00

The construction of the water supply infrastructure in the locality of Barreiro (Setúbal) illustrates diverse aspects of the public water management model undertaken in continental Portugal from the second third of the 20^th century. Sources consulted encompass local, state, and international institutional documents as well as private papers, ranging from annual reports to specialist studies, among others. The positive outcomes in terms of better public health conditions and the growth of industry were obscured by the appearance of new taxes and unequal access to water. This inequality was caused by the availability of larger volumes of water, thanks to the combined stimulus -and commercialisation- of private water prospection initiatives and the location of most of the country's industry in a relatively small area. On the one hand, a scenario arose of new economic dependence due to the compulsory payment of services by part of the population, on the other, ecosystemic factors intervened; at the dawn of the 1990s, Barreiro was among the areas of the country with greatest problems of overexploitation and contamination of water resources.

Transportation infrastructure planning

2025-01-16T09:12:05+00:00

This article reflects on the importance of the regional vision, often undervalued, in megaprojects. Specifically, it does so regarding the megaproject of the Mexico Toluca Interurban Train. For this purpose, its planning is analyzed in order to recognize the presence or not of the regional vision in its development The focus of this work is on the link between planning and this type of projects, as well as its objectives and processes, subscribing to the theoretical discussion on the topic. Through three stages, supported by historical and cartographic analysis, the documentary technique and the SALSA methodology are addressed and the content analysis method, considering the institutional framework, the scale of analysis and the integration strategy, as well as five dimensions and six categories through which it was concluded that it is an infrastructural megaproject and not a regional approach.

Public policies and regulations in the period 2000-2024 for the construction of a sustainable habitat in the city of Mar del Plata

2024-12-03T09:41:45+00:00

In recent years, the ways of inhabiting and building cities have changed significantly, generating tensions between urban
planning and the spontaneous growth of settlements. Against this context, the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban Agenda
established objectives to promote sustainable cities, highlighting the protection of ecosystems, the reduction of environmental
impact and the use of sustainable consumption and production modalities. This article analyzed regulatory instruments during
the period 2000-2024 at an international, national, provincial and municipal level related to the construction of a sustainable
habitat in the city of Mar del Plata, within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, with emphasis on
goals 11.a and 11.b. Through a qualitative-quantitative methodology, of a descriptive-interpretive nature, survey, registration
and documentary analysis techniques of regulations published in official bulletins were used. The results revealed different
levels of implementation and scope of regulations in relation to urban sustainability objectives. This analysis aims to contribute
to knowledge about regulatory instruments that favor the construction of sustainable cities, offering a basis to evaluate and
develop sustainable alternatives that respond to the contemporary challenges of cities.

Local development in the context of territorial shrinkage: insights for a model of analysis

2024-09-27T14:13:15+01:00

This article provides an analysis, essentially conceptual, of development strategies and the challenges faced by “shrinking” territories, starting from a broad understanding of the spatial configuration of the current phase of capitalism. On the one hand, the literature on regional and local development is revisited, and the general evolution of development theories and policies is questioned, particularly on a local and regional scale. On the other hand, the literature that seeks to understand dynamics behind the spatial distribution of human activity and the growth of cities is explored, paying attention to the geographical configuration of the knowledge economy, to identify the particularities of the development constraints of shrinking territories. By comparing these two literature reviews, through an articulated understanding of the main contributions of both, the aim is to understand the theoretical and conceptual relationship between local development, territorial shrinkage and quality of life. The purpose of this exercise is to find a theoretical approach that can inform new development policies in the context of territorial shrinkage. As a result of this analysis, some usefulness is identified in the adoption of beyond growth development strategies, centered on the intrinsic valorization of the non-economic spheres of development. Assuming the centrality of the idea of quality of life and the diversity of factors that contribute to the processes of territorial development and shrinkage, it is important to value the qualitative attributes of places, as well as the relational and affective factors of the territory, recognizing their relevance to people's locational decisions.

City, segregation, and food

2024-11-19T10:49:53+00:00

The food landscape of Brazilian cities is directly linked to territorial planning and socio-spatial inequality. This article characterizes the agro-food environment in the first district of Petrópolis (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and analyzes more sustainable alternatives that strengthen short consumption circuits. The mapping of food-related commercial and agricultural establishments is part of this study. The analysis, combined with the average family income by census sector, the division by neighborhoods, and certain characteristics of urban mobility, allows for reflection on priority areas for action and forms of investment, through public policies, in the direct relationship between producer and consumer, such as the expansion of street markets, and the creation of structures for direct sale along public spaces. Food segregation as a reality in Petrópolis and the recognition of the importance of the rural environment and local production must be considered to identify more sustainable solutions to mitigate food insecurity.

Territorial planning as a development strategy for small cities in Brazil

2024-12-03T11:46:46+00:00

Territorial planning as a strategy for urban and regional planning in small cities in Brazil can answer to the contradictions arising from productive restructuring and represent an alternative to development. Based on this argument, the text aims to problematize experiences of regional arrangements in Brazilian city systems that occur in a municipalist context reinforced by the Federal Constitution of 1988. This context weakens small cities that are not inserted in the traditional dynamics of space production derived of productive restructuring. To explore alternatives, the theoretical foundation of the analysis is based on the different meanings of the term “territory” because they contribute to the understanding of contemporary planning movements. Thus, methodologically, we start with a bibliographic review on the models used in territorial planning, called “territorial associations” in Brazil, and position them in national and international criticism. As a discussion, it problematizes some experiences of territorial associations in city systems, identifying their particularities, contradictions and convergences. This analysis allows us to conclude that planning based on territorial evidence can represent an important support in the formulation of public policies and guarantee development alternatives, especially in small cities.

Post-peace agreement and its impact on the urban transformation of Gaitania, Colombia

2024-08-27T16:02:12+01:00

The signing and implementation of the Peace Agreements between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia have generated impacts in Colombian territory. Particularly, we found significant changes in territorial ordering, demographic dimension, land use, roads and infrastructure of public services of the 16 subregions, 170 municipalities and 11,000 villages prioritized by the Development Programs with a Territorial Approach, planning, ordering and management instruments. of resources within the framework of the Comprehensive Rural Reform. The article analyzes the influence of the post-peace agreement on the physical-spatial transformations of the township of Gaitania, Colombia. It is proposed that, through the application of surveys, documentary research of primary and secondary sources and field work, it is possible to generate an analysis of a physical, social and economic nature. The results indicate a process of urban consolidation, with an increase in the mix of uses and high-rise construction, as well as improvements in infrastructure and services. Finally, the limitations related to the scarcity of data and studies in small populated centers and the importance of analyzing this type of urban phenomena in the Colombian post-conflict context are highlighted.

The post-human paradigm and the risks of depoliticizing governance

2024-09-17T10:10:25+01:00

This article’s main objectives are to characterize the logics that underlie governance framed within the post-human paradigm, to emphasize the risks of this type of governance and to mention the organizational principles for alternative governance. The text’s approach takes as its central issue the development of automation technologies and the internet of things and their applications in society and the environment. Given the political and economic logics of current globalization, the need for participatory and representative citizenship at different levels of political decision-making is defended, including in matters of sharing and transmission of scientific-technological knowledge.

To hope in the educating city

2024-08-21T14:23:21+01:00

Our understanding of the socio-educative process goes beyond the school and family, including dimensions as non-formal and informal. The interaction between these dimensions creates a complex net of education, having the city as the main scenario of pedagogical practices. The urban space provides a diversity of educational opportunities, fostering the development of citizens by social interaction, awareness of territory and reinforcement of belonging and collective identity. This research aims to analyze how the city acts as educating agent in citizen formation. By a multi-method approach, we seek to comprehend the relation between educational dimensions by exploring the potentialities and limitations of Monte Serrat and Campeche communities at Florianópolis. The case studies reveal the learning opportunities, highlighting the impact of the city in education. However, has been identified some challenges, as the lack of proper urban spaces to kids and teenagers, the socio-spatial segregation and the urge of stablish broad participation of community. The constitution of inclusive environments and the development of formal, non-formal and informal education emerge as essential for an effective educating city. Summarily, this research sheds light on the value of the city as educational agent, emphasizing the need of overcome challenges to promote a whole and inclusive education. The achievements reinforce the importance of actions that encourage participation of all community members, aiming the construction of genuine educating cities.

Collaborative exercise for developing a Local Strategy for Dementia

2024-10-17T12:56:12+01:00

In this study, the collaborative construction of a Local Strategic Plan for Dementia is presented and analysed. 15 institutions from territory in central Portugal participated in this dynamic, each represented by a reference professional and 2 senior technicians from the City Council (n=17). Participants with previous experience in providing care to elderly people and caring for people with dementia were recruited. The collaborative ideation dynamics took place in a single 8-hour session, and it was divided into 4 distinct phases: (i) Icebreaker presentation, (ii) co-design of objectives, (iii) co-design of strategic axes, (iv) co-design of intervention. A content analysis of the exercises and a summary were carried out according to the following structure: objectives for the strategic plan, strategic axes and actions to be implemented. Throughout the ideation exercises, more significant keywords were defined, reflecting the most relevant dimensions in assistance and care for people with dementia: 10 dimensions for processes;7 for social health; and 7 for policies. 5 axes were defined: Community Literacy, Combating Isolation, Aging in Place, Intergenerational, Dementia Friendly Service, supported by 13 objectives, 15 actions and 17 goals and 20 strategic partners. The design of a collaborative proposal for a Local Strategic Plan for Dementia proved to be an innovative and effective methodology, and it should, in the future, involve other community stakeholders and develop lines of action for the coordination and monitoring of the strategy.

Perceiving the difference: participant observation as a methodology in socio-spatial research

2024-07-24T09:14:31+01:00

This essay aims to discuss how it is possible to work with the perception of axes of differentiation in contexts of socio-spatial research, contributing to the construction of the field of Urban Planning, which has experienced constant epistemological crises since its recent origin. This interdisciplinary contribution is contextualized in the demand for the dimensions of the urban object, whose theoretical reflexivity, traditional in the Social Sciences, has not been historically met. Thinking about differences based on axes of differentiation contributes to providing sensitivity in the researcher's gaze while in the field, seeking to demonstrate, based on the methodology of participant observation, possible ways to think about potential solutions to epistemological and methodological dilemmas related to socio-spatial work.