Dinâmicas urbanas recentes da área metropolitana de Fortaleza

Abstract

This work’s main objective is to study Fortaleza’s metropolitan area urban growth patterns that have been observed in the last three decades (1980-2011). A detailed investigation of that process was concerned to examine and analyze relevant transformations occurring in the structure of urban and metropolitan spaces, focusing on relating them to recent urbanization processes. First, this study approaches theoretical and conceptual aspects related to contemporary urbanization, stating a theoretical understanding of the subject, and tries to correlate that, when feasible, to Fortaleza’s recent urban growth. Then, in order to better characterize the object of study, a description and an analysis of this metropolitan area are made by investigating the dynamics and socio-economic dimensions of that metropolis. The following approach and discussion deals with actual urban expansion of Fortaleza from a perspective of observed transformations in these past decades, based on the analysis of different axes of urban and metropolitan growth, intending to verify their particular pattern of development. Finally, this work focus on a particular area, in greater detail - the southeastern part of the metropolis - where new spatialities and different patterns of urban fabric are found. After analyzing different axes of expansion, the hypothesis that current urban growth of Fortaleza’s metropolitan area has not been occurring homogeneously and it presents a particular dynamic and a distinctive center-periphery model, which prevailed in 1980’s, is accepted. Further, this study finds some evidence that, indeed, there are new and unprecedented urban processes in accordance to latest forms of urbanization, similar to what occurs in other urban areas of Brazil and of other countries. This dynamic is more evident in the southeastern sector of the metropolis, where there are new forms of centrality formation, and the presence of more scattered and discontinuous nuclei, consisting of condominiums and tourist facilities displayed along eastern seacoast. This sector can be characterized as the most representative within the metropolis in terms of new forms of urbanization, indicating disruption of traditional urban growth patterns. The purpose of this study, in short, has been to identify characteristics of the undergoing urbanization process, to deepen the analysis and to investigate the specific set of changes that are taking over Fortaleza’s metropolitan area. To examine actual urban growth pattern is essential to, both, discover ways to deal with this new reality and create tools to support more consistent future planning proposals and interventions considering urban expansion, in order to ensure proper functioning and development of contemporary metropolises.