Transformações espaciais e vulnerabilidades em meio ao turismo na região da praia do Preá, em Cruz – CE

Abstract

This paper seeks to understand the spatial transformations and socio-environmental vulnerabilities that have occurred in the village of Preá, in Cruz-CE, due to the expansion of tourism, especially the influence of Jericoacoara. Throughout the research, it is notable how tourism, initially seen as a vector of development, has profoundly altered the local dynamic, changing the traditional way of life based on fishing and subsistence agriculture. With the increased circulation of tourists, the village's urbanization intensified, new ventures emerged, and the real estate market underwent strong appreciation, generating speculation and pressure on the territory. The effects caused by the construction of the Jericoacoara Airport and the implementation of public policies such as PRODETUR-NE were also analyzed. The data shows a significant population leap and the emergence of various commercial activities aimed at tourism, such as inns, restaurants, and shops. However, this disordered expansion brought challenges, such as compromising the natural landscape, the absence of adequate sanitary infrastructure, and an increase in waste production. From this, clear signs of environmental and socio-environmental vulnerabilities were identified, including risks of soil and aquifer contamination, coastal erosion, and the displacement of native residents. In the final section, I contribute by proposing that tourism in the region can be rethought under a sustainable logic, prioritizing the appreciation of local culture and ecological balance.