Do policentrismo relacional ao policentrismo morfológico: estudo da área funcional urbana de Passo Fundo (RS)

Abstract

Urban networks and centralities in the current phase of globalization of spaces, especially in areas related to agribusiness, are configured in two processes: the first are larger and more prosperous than the isolated administrations of the municipalities; and the second, they become the means by which the production, circulation and consumption of capital takes place effectively. Classic models for structuring urban networks and centralities, mainly from the perspective of urban ecologists, are increasingly limited in view of complex urban growth patterns. The polycentric phenomenon appears as a key to interpretation to understand the complexity of these urban processes. Polycentrism, as a theoretical and methodological element, is a form of geographic study that takes into account a particular spatial profile that brings together various centers of activity and reflects the dynamism of 21st century cities. It is also characterized by the detailing of the decentralization of economic activities, increased mobility, complex ´cross-commuting´ and fragmented spatial distribution of activities, jobs and services. As a general objective, this TCC seeks to propose new approaches to spatial analysis based on the theoretical-methodological conceptions of the concept of Polycentrism for the urban functional area of Passo Fundo. The definition of FUAS based on the original methodology developed by the Europe Spatial Planning Observation Network (ESPON), was adapted to the local reality of Rio Grande do Sul. In view of these perspectives that seek to analyze the recent dynamics of networks and urban centralities, going from the ideas of relational polycentrism to morphological polycentrism, characterizing them in the spatial reality of northern Rio Grande do Sul. For this, the research was developed along three methodological axes: a) systematization of informational bases, identification of the main flows of commuting mobility at work and study, characterizing the relational polycentricity; b) typification of the centralities, and how they are structured around the densities of employments, services, businesses and the classic divisions of the economic productive sectors, characterizing the morphological polycentricity; c) polycentric configurational models in non-metropolitan realities, relating theoretical-conceptual development, secondary data analysis and local information. Important advances are noted in proposing an overcoming of the spatial approach restricted to political-administrative limits. The results obtained allow us to conclude that the concepts of Polycentricity in the relational perspective - with the urban networks, and in the morphological - with the centralities, demonstrated that they dialogue in a clear way to the current spatial dynamics that go beyond such political limits, and promises for new regional dynamics. The structuring of spatial configurational models, together with the secondary data analysis and the purpose-objectives of polycentric planning can indeed provide the basis for the development of spatial instruments of regional planning, in view of greater balance, cohesion and territorial cooperation.