Emptying and morphological transformation of the central area of Santos/SP: genesis and perspectives

Abstract

From the analysis of land use and the urbanization process of Santos, during the 20^th century, its central area presented an expressive process of emptying, especially housing, reflecting economic activities related to household consumption. This process was motivated by the economic changes that affected the role of this area, concomitantly to the growth of the port and the amplification of the impacts of its support activities, legitimized by the zoning in force during the period, promoting deleterious morphological changes. This phenomenon was accompanied by evasion of families with higher income, remaining low-income families in the area, who occupied old mansions converted into tenement homes, in extreme precariousness. From the 1990s, a policy was developed to preserve the historical heritage of this area, contributing to maintaining some economic dynamism, without however being articulated with the ineffective housing policy adopted in 2010. However, a false understanding was spread that the policy of protection was the promoter of emptying. Nevertheless, it can be verified that, if perfected, this policy may promote the repopulation of the area, with appropriate targeting investments, guided by a new urban regulation, which guarantees respect for its natural and built landscape, prioritizing low-income families.

Keywords:
Central área; Urban morphology; Repopulation; Historical heritage; Santos