Reconfiguration in the centralities in brazilian medium-cities: the impact of supermarkets in Marabá (Pará)

Abstract

The spatial deconcentration of tertiary sector corporations has promoted the arrival of large commercial surfaces in non-metropolitan urban spaces. This dynamic has favored the establishment of new spaces of private consumption in Marabá, a medium-sized city in the state of Pará. Resulting from research, this article aims to help interpret the existing practices in this city, with regard to the centralities of the intra-urban areas, especially in relation to the establishment of supermarkets. The methodological path, in general terms, consisted of a literature review on topics and processes directly related to the urban-spatial phenomenon studied, as well as an investigation and analysis of primary data obtained through interviews and forms applied at the exits of the supermarket establishments. In our view, there were significant changes in the centralities and, consequently, in the structure of the city of Marabá. In general terms, the new consumption spaces were not only effective, on an individual basis, as expressions of centrality, but also with regard to their respective presence and performance, and has contributed significantly to the formation and consolidation of a new central area in the city, located along a considerable part of the urban stretch of the Trans-Amazon Highway.