A dinâmica urbana de uma cidade média na rede urbana do sul de minas gerais a partir de suas centralidades inter e intraurbanas do setor terciário: o caso de Varginha-MG

Abstract

The middle-sized city of Varginha, located in southern Minas Gerais, has many elements and historical aspects that contributes to the intraurban socio-spatial development, as well as contributing to the current urban network aspects. The pathway to understanding Varginha’s socio-spatial dynamics leads to the discussion of what constitutes a middle-sized city, and how the classifications are currently established. Thorough analysis leads to the relation between middle-sized cities and urban networks, as well as the aspects that classify the hierarchical levels which they belong. This analysis is extremely relevant for REGIC (IBGE) studies throughout its historical data. Varginha has data of centralities directing to the city’s downtown, however, the southwestern region is competing for the centralities, especially after the establishment of Via Café Garden shopping mall, since 2016. Many of the city spots with tertiary type activities form the so-called sub-centers, that are characterized by city areas not located in the geographical and traditional city center, despite being as much relevant. Varginha’s entire city comprehension is achieved by studying the historical formation of the city, as well as its geographicities, thus making it possible to understanding its current state.

Varginha grew both in size and in regional importance and lately, following other middle- sized city trends, developed decentralized tertiary activities, this process attracting new populations into the city and therefore investments to it. All those aspects before mentioned and studied in the present dissertation are important elements to future analysis of this municipality.