Desigualdades socioespaciais na produção do espaço urbano na cidade de Pouso Alegre-MG

Abstract

This paper conducts a geohistorical analysis of the city of Pouso Alegre, aiming to understand its socio-spatial characteristics. It was elaborated using methods such as literature review, fieldwork, and semi-structured observation to analyze the contradictions and actions of the public power in the city, investments, works, and the proposals of the new master plan for the city of Pouso Alegre/MG. The objective is to comprehend the socio-spatial inequalities in the mentioned city, as well as the contradictions and consequences of urban expansion, specifically those that exist between urban planning and produced space. The city in question is characterized as a medium-sized city and has a relevant role in the intra-urban network as an articulated space with varied flows. Furthermore, the urban expansion movement of these cities, starting in the 1970s, also observed in Pouso Alegre, favored the expansion in a dispersed way and the emergence of phenomena such as segregations and socio-spatial inequalities. The analysis of the historical geography of urban expansion in the city highlights such inequalities arising from the production and reproduction of urban space. The expansion, initially horizontal and later verticalized, has led to urban and environmental social problems. Other numerous issues were observed, such as the lack of public spaces for leisure and culture, and the existing contradictions in the actions of the public power, the lack of popular housing, the beautification works in central and elitist regions to the detriment of the outskirts, as well as the absence of social housing policies and problems in urban mobility. This paper is justified in reflecting on the proposals for the city in the coming years. The results can serve as a basis for possible contributions to improving the city